17-Year-Old Chinese Badminton Player Dies After Collapsing on Court During Tournament

The teenager "loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete," China's badminton association said in a statement

A 17-year-old Chinese badminton player died on Sunday, June 30 after collapsing on the court during a match at an international tournament in Indonesia.

Zhang Zhijie died at a local hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia after he started having seizures while playing against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano at the Asian Junior Championships, according to The Associated Press and Reuters.

Zhang was treated by the tournament’s medical team before being taken to a local hospital and then transferred to Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, the government’s main hospital in the Yogyakarta province, where he died, officials said at a news conference, the AP reported.

“The conclusion of the examination and treatment of the victim at both hospitals showed the same results, namely that the victim experienced sudden cardiac arrest,” Broto Happy, spokesperson of Badminton Association of Indonesia, told reporters, according to the outlet.

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Indonesia’s Badminton Association (PBSI) and Badminton Asia released a joint statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing their condolences.

"Badminton Asia, PBSI and the organising committee are immensely saddened and expressed their deepest condolences to Zhang's parents, family and Chinese Badminton Association," the organizations said, adding, “The world of badminton has lost a talented player.”

The Chinese Badminton Association also released a statement saying that Zhang’s coach, doctor and translator all tried to help him after he collapsed during the match.

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“We feel deeply distressed over the unfortunate death of Zhang Zhijie from a sudden illness while competing in an international competition,” the organization said, according to the AP. “We express our sincere gratitude to all sectors of the society for the concern and help given to Zhang Zhijie. We will do our best to provide help to Zhang Zhijie’s family.”

The organization added that Zhang “loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the National Youth Badminton Team.”

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