The badminton world is mourning the loss of Zhang Zhijie, a 17-year-old junior player from China, who passed away during a match at the 2024 Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Zhang collapsed on the court while playing. The cause of his death was a cardiac arrest. Sadly, he could not be saved in time.
His death raised serious questions about the medical team’s response. Reports say that the medics waited for the referee’s permission before helping Zhang. Many people around the world have criticized this delay, saying it may have affected his chances of survival.
To honor Zhang’s memory, the tournament organizers gave him a gold medal after his death. They also placed his jersey on the podium during the medal ceremony as a sign of respect.
Zhang was a talented young athlete with a bright future. His passing is a heartbreaking moment for his family, teammates, and the entire badminton community.