A 17-year-old rising Badminton Star Zhang Zhijie died after he collapsed while competing in a match at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Sunday, according to TMZ.
Zhijie was reportedly stretchered off the floor and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Zhijie suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, Indonesia’s badminton association PBSI later said, per BBC.
Zhijie, who was facing China’s Japan’s Kazuma Kawano, fell to the floor and appeared to convulse, TMZ reported, citing a video of the incident — adding that help arrived on the scene after more than 35 seconds.
A PBSI spokesman told reporters that medical teams had followed a rule where they needed the referee’s permission before entering the court.
“That is in accordance with the regulations and standards of procedure that applies to every international badminton tournament,” he said.
The Badminton World Federation said it will investigate if the correct protocol’s were taken during the tragic incident.
“Zhang’s death at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia is a tragic occurrence, and we are taking all necessary steps to thoroughly review this matter in consultation with Badminton Asia and Badminton Association of Indonesia,” they said, per TMZ.
Badminton players observed a moment of silence in memory of Zhijie at the Badminton Asia Junior Championship at Amongrogo Sport Center on Monday.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia also held a moment of silence at tournament on Sunday, as seen in a video posted on X.
“One minute of silence as we pay our respects to the late Zhang Zhi Jie. Rest in peace,” the BAM account wrote.
