A tragic incident occurred during a badminton match in Indonesia, where 17-year-old Zhang Zhijie from China collapsed on the court while competing against Kazuma Kawan of Japan. The young athlete fell forward and appeared to seize before medical staff rushed to his aid. Despite their efforts, Zhang Zhijie passed away at a hospital later on.
Badminton Asia, along with the Badminton Association of Indonesia and the organizing committee, expressed their deepest condolences to Zhang's family and the Chinese Badminton Association. The badminton community mourns the loss of a talented player and paid tribute to Zhang with a minute of silence before the quarterfinals.
According to Broto Happy, spokesperson of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, the medical examination revealed that Zhang Zhijie suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. The response time of the medical team was swift, with Zhang being taken to an ambulance within two minutes of collapsing.
While some social media users criticized the staff for a perceived lack of urgency, the Chinese association defended their team's leader, coach, doctor, translator, and tournament medical staff for their prompt actions. The Chinese Badminton Association expressed deep sorrow over Zhang Zhijie's untimely passing and thanked the public for their support.
This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the risks associated with competitive sports and the importance of immediate medical attention in such situations. The badminton community is united in grief over the loss of a promising young talent, and efforts are being made to support Zhang Zhijie's family during this difficult time.
