Rising badminton star Zhang Zhijie has sadly died after collapsing during a match in front of a live audience.
The teenager, who was only 17 years old, fell during the Badminton Asia Junior Championship in Yogykarta, Indonesia. Zhang Zhijie was battling Japan’s Kazuma Kawano when he suddenly crashed to the floor.
Footage of the incident shows him falling, where he seems to convulse as his opponent and officials watch. After more than 35 seconds, help rushes to his side and he is carried onto a stretcher and taken into the back of an ambulance.
He tragically passed away after being transferred to a nearby hospital, with Zhang Zhijie’s cause of death being reported as a cardiac arrest.
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Fans have slammed the response time from the on-site medical team.
However, an official has said the tournament’s medical staff have to ‘follow a rule where they needed the referees permission before entering the court’.
Following Zhang Zhijie’s death, the Badminton World Federation have said they are conducting an investigation, looking into protocols that were followed.
They said: “Zhang’s death at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia is a tragic occurrence, and we are taking all necessary steps to thoroughly review this matter in consultation with Badminton Asia and Badminton Association of Indonesia.”
They added on social media: “The Badminton World Federation is saddened by the loss of emerging badminton talent Zhang Zhi Jie.
“We offer our deepest condolences to his family, his teammates, to the Chinese Badminton Association, and the entire Chinese badminton community.
Tributes have poured in since the news, with fellow players at the tournament honoring him with a moment of silence.
They also held up his jersey, raising it up on the podium.
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