17-Year-Old Chinese Badminton Player Dies of Cardiac Arrest During Championship Match: Watch

In a tragic turn of events, the world of badminton mourns the loss of 17-year-old Zhang Zhijie, a promising Chinese player who died after collapsing on the court during the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 

The incident occurred on June 30, during a closely contested match against Japan's Kazuma Kawano, which was tied 11-11 when Zhang suddenly collapsed.

Immediate Medical Response

Despite the swift medical attention provided on-site, Zhang was pronounced dead at the hospital later that evening. 

According to a joint statement released by Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), 

"China's Zhang Zhijie, a singles player, collapsed on the court during a match in the evening. He was sent to the hospital where he passed away at 23:20 local time yesterday. He was attended to by the tournament doctor and medical team. He was taken in the standby ambulance in less than two minutes and sent to hospital."

17-year-old Chinese badminton player dies of cardiac arrest after collapsing on the court during a tournament in Indonesia. Zhang Zhijie was suddenly taken ill during a match late Sunday against Japan's Kazuma Kawano at the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta.👇 pic.twitter.com/IfS3nlfNXg

— Paul Harvey Predicts 🇳🇿NZ (@HicksKiwi) July 1, 2024

Eyewitness Accounts and Criticism

Videos of the incident have since gone viral, showing a 40-second wait before emergency personnel attended to Zhang. 

This delay has sparked harsh criticism and raised questions about whether prompt medical assistance could have altered the outcome. 

In the video, a man is seen running to help Zhang but stops midway, awaiting further instructions. 

This procedural delay, as explained by a PBSI spokesman, stemmed from a rule requiring the referee's permission before medical teams could enter the court, a standard protocol for international badminton tournaments.

Zhang Zhijie, originally from Jiaxing in Zhejiang province, joined the national junior squad in 2023 and quickly made a name for himself. 

He won numerous championships, including the team and men's titles in Group B of the China Badminton Junior Championships in 2023 and 2024. 

His sudden passing has shocked the badminton community, with many expressing their condolences and reflecting on his bright future in the sport.

Reactions from the Badminton Community

The China Badminton Association expressed deep sorrow and shock over Zhang's untimely death. 

"Zhang Zhijie loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team," they stated. 

As of now, the local hospital has not yet identified the exact cause of death, though it is reported that he experienced sudden cardiac arrest.

Prominent figures in the badminton world, including two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, have also expressed their condolences. 

Sindhu took to X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Absolutely heartbreaking news coming from the Junior Asian Badminton Championships about the loss of young badminton player Zhang Zhijie. I offer my deepest condolences to Zhang's family during this devastating time. The world has lost a remarkable talent today."

The untimely death of Zhang Zhijie is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of swift medical intervention during sports events. 

As the badminton community grieves the loss of this young talent, there are calls for a re-evaluation of the protocols that may have contributed to the delay in medical assistance. 

Zhang's passion for badminton and his achievements at such a young age will be remembered by all who knew him and admired his skill on the court.