17-Year-Old Chinese Player Dies After Collapsing During Badminton Match in Indonesia

Chinese badminton players continue to watch and support their teammates from the stands during the 2024 Asia Junior Championship in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on July 1, 2024, despite being dejected by the death of the late Chinese player Zhang Zhijie, who collapsed during a match against Japan in the preliminary round. (Devi Rahman/AFP via Getty Images)

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia—A 17-year-old Chinese player died after collapsing on court during an Asian tournament in Indonesia’s Yogyakarta province, Indonesia’s Badminton Association said Monday.

Zhang Zhijie was playing against Kazuma Kawano of Japan at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships on Sunday when he collapsed and had seizures.

Badminton officials said medical teams treated Zhijie on court and he was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

He was later taken to the Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, a main government hospital in Yogyakarta.

“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 at a news conference.

Badminton players and officials in Yogyakarta paid tribute to Zhijie by holding a minute of silence on the court Monday morning before the quarterfinals.

Badminton Asia said it was “immensely saddened” and expressed its condolences to Zhijie’s parents and family, adding: “The world of badminton has lost a talented player.”

The Chinese Badminton Association offered its condolences and support to Zhijie’s family, and described him as a player who “loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team.”