17-year-old Chinese badminton player collapses on court and dies, medical response time criticized

A 17-year-old Chinese badminton player has died after collapsing during a tournament in Indonesia, sparking outcry over what some on social media called a delayed medical response.

Singles player Zhang Zhijie collapsed on the court during a match against a Japanese opponent at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Sunday, Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) said in a joint statement.

The tournament doctor and medical staff attended to Zhang on the court and he was taken to a rescue ambulance “within two minutes and sent to hospital,” the statement said.

After collapsing, Zhang suffered convulsions. Broto Happy, a spokesman for the Indonesian Badminton Association, told reporters at a news conference that Zhang had been taken to two hospitals that showed the same results, “that the victim suffered a sudden cardiac arrest,” the Associated Press reported.

“Badminton Asia, PBSI and the organising committee are deeply saddened and expressed their deepest condolences to Zhang’s parents, family and the Chinese Badminton Association,” Badminton Asia and PBSI said in their joint statement. “The badminton world has lost a talented player.”

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) also expressed its condolences to Zhang’s family and teammates, calling his death a “tragic event.”

“We are taking all necessary steps to examine this matter thoroughly, in consultation with Badminton Asia and the Indonesian Badminton Association.”

A video of the match posted on social media shows Zhang collapsing and having convulsions. But it takes about 40 seconds before someone who appears to be the tournament doctor actually begins to tend to him.

The delay sparked outrage among viewers and social media users and cast a critical eye on the tournament’s policies in the event of a medical emergency.

One X user wrote: “Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stand-alone external defibrillator should be administered as soon as possible in such a cardiac arrest situation. The lack of urgency is appalling. Rest in peace Zhang Zhijie.”

“The medical team arrived too late and the referee said not to touch the coach when he wanted to check his condition. Seriously?” added another.

“Not only do we need to change the rules, we also need to assess the response of the emergency services!” wrote one social media user.

The BWF said it has a “comprehensive set of medical guidelines and instructions” for use by other BWF-sanctioned regional tournaments. “However, it is up to each governing body to decide how they implement these medical protocols and practices on-site at their events.”

“The BWF is awaiting an official report from Badminton Asia and the local organising committee to assess whether proper medical procedures were followed to provide assistance to Zhang when he fell on the court.”

The BWF said that as per the guidelines, the tournament doctor “under the direction of the referee” is responsible for responding to on-court emergencies and intervening.

“Once our review is complete, we will determine whether any specific aspects of these guidelines need to be amended,” the BWF added.