Tag: badminton

Badminton body holds ‘thorough review’ of teenage player’s death

On: By: admin


In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 202  Chinese badminton players and coaches pray together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhijie, who collapsed during a match.  (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP) 

Badminton’s governing body on Tuesday announced a “thorough review” following the death of a promising Chinese teenager who collapsed during a match.

Seventeen-year-old Zhang Zhijie was playing at the Asia Junior Championships in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta on Sunday when he suddenly fell to the floor.

Indonesia’s badminton association (PBSI) and Badminton Asia said he was promptly rushed to hospital but died that night having suffered a cardiac arrest.

READ: Chinese badminton player, 17, dies after collapsing on court

However, there were questions about the medical response at the venue. Footage showed it took 40 seconds from when Zhang collapsed for any kind of help to arrive on the court.

“We are taking all necessary steps to thoroughly review this matter in consultation with Badminton Asia and Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI),” the Badminton World Federation (BWF) governing body said in a statement.

A PBSI spokesman on Monday blamed the hesitant emergency response on the referee and said that as hosts they were only adhering to BWF rules.

“Following the completion of our review, we will determine whether specific aspects of these guidelines need to be changed,” the BWF added.

It is also waiting for an official report from Badminton Asia and the local organizing committee “to assess whether the correct medical procedures were followed in providing aid to Zhang when he fell to the court”.

Badminton great Lee Chong Wei earlier Tuesday called for changes in scheduling to give players more time to recover.

READ: Malaysia’s top badminton star Lee Zii Jia banned after quitting national team

The retired Lee, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, told The Star newspaper in Malaysia that Zhang’s shock death should be a wake-up call for the sport.

He said that medical teams needed to be “more alert” and called for the BWF to “review their match and tournament schedule”.

“He appeared tired and it’s sad to accept the reality that China’s future top player is gone,” Lee said.



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Chinese state media has also questioned the emergency response.

Chinese badminton player, 17, dies after collapsing on court

On: By: admin


In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 2024 by public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) shows, Chinese badminton players and coaches (in white jackets and black armbands), along with all players competing in the 2024 Asia Junior Championship, praying together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhijie, who collapsed during a match against Japan in the preliminary round and received medical assistance in Yogyakarta. (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP)

A 17-year-old Chinese badminton player died after collapsing on court during an international tournament in Indonesia, officials said on Monday, mourning him as “outstanding” and “talented”.

Zhang Zhijie was suddenly taken ill during a match late Sunday against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano at the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta.

The score was 11-11 in the first game when Zhang fell to the floor. He received treatment at the venue and was taken to hospital by ambulance, but passed away after efforts to resuscitate him failed.

READ: Asian Games: Tears as South Korea beats China for badminton gold

The cause of death was not immediately known.

“China’s Zhang Zhijie, a singles player, collapsed on the court during a match in the evening,” Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) said in a joint statement on Monday.

“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.

“The world of badminton has lost a talented player,” the statement added.

READ: 4 Chinese badminton players punished for not trying hard enough

Zhang started playing badminton in kindergarten and joined China’s national youth team last year.

Earlier this year he won the singles title at the Dutch Junior International, a prestigious youth tournament.

China’s badminton association said that it was “deeply saddened”.

“Zhang Zhijie loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team,” the CBA said in a statement.

It added: “At present the local hospital has not yet identified the cause of death.”

The team tournament in the city of Yogyakarta held a moment’s silence on Monday and the Chinese team wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

India’s P.V. Sindhu, who has won Olympic silver and bronze, called Zhang’s death “absolutely heartbreaking”.

“I offer my deepest condolences to Zhang’s family during this devastating time,” Sindhu, who was not at the tournament, wrote on X.



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“The world has lost a remarkable talent today.”