Tragic Loss: Chinese Badminton Star, 17, Collapsed During Championship Match

Zhang Zhijie, a promising 17-year-old Chinese badminton player, tragically passed away after collapsing during a match at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The incident occurred during his singles match against Japan's Kazuma Kawano on June 30, with the game tied at 11-11 when Zhang collapsed on the court. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

According to reports from Marca, the Indonesian badminton body confirmed that Zhang had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Videos of the incident circulated online, showing a delay of about 40 seconds before emergency responders attended to Zhang, prompting criticism of the response time and procedures in place.

In a joint statement by Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), they expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Zhang Zhijie, describing him as a talented player who contributed significantly to the sport. The statement mentioned the swift actions taken by the tournament medical team, though questions arose regarding the protocols that required medical personnel to await the referee's permission before entering the court.

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Zhang Zhijie, originally from Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, had joined the national junior squad in 2023 and achieved notable success in various championships. The China Badminton Association mourned his untimely death, highlighting his passion and dedication to badminton.

The incident has sparked mourning across the badminton community, with athletes like two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu expressing condolences and emphasizing the loss of a promising young talent. Investigations into the exact cause of Zhang's death are ongoing at the local hospital where he was treated.