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A 17-year-old Chinese badminton player, Zhang Zhijie, tragically passed away after collapsing on court during an international tournament in Indonesia, badminton officials announced on Monday.
Zhang fell ill during a match on Sunday evening against Japan's Kazuma Kawano at the Asian Junior Badminton Mixed Team Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The score was tied at 11-11 in the first game when Zhang suddenly collapsed.
Medical personnel were immediately on the scene, and Zhang was transported to the hospital by ambulance within minutes. Despite their efforts, he passed away at 23:20 local time.
"China's Zhang Zhijie, a singles player, collapsed on the court during a match in the evening," stated Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) in a joint statement. "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 the hospital."
The badminton community is in mourning, with Badminton Asia, PBSI, and the organizing committee expressing their deepest condolences to Zhang's parents, family, and the Chinese Badminton Association. "The world of badminton has lost a talented player," the statement added.
Netizens reacted with shock and sadness to the news of Zhang's passing. One Weibo user wrote, "This is so heartbreaking. He was so young and had a bright future ahead of him." Another commented, "Rest in peace, Zhang Zhijie. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
Many users also praised the quick response of the medical team, noting that every effort was made to save the young athlete. "The medical team did everything they could. It's just a tragic situation," one user noted.
The incident has also sparked discussions about the pressures and health risks faced by young athletes. "This should be a wake-up call for all sports organizations to ensure the health and safety of their players," one netizen commented.
Zhang Zhijie's untimely death has cast a somber shadow over the tournament and the badminton community at large. His potential and dedication to the sport were widely recognized, and his loss is felt deeply by those who knew him and fans worldwide.
