Teenage Chinese Badminton Star’s Death Draws Criticism of First Responders

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Zhang Zhijie, a 17-year-old Chinese badminton player, died Sunday after collapsing during an international tournament in Indonesia. Photo: VCG

Chinese youth badminton star Zhang Zhijie died Sunday night after collapsing during a match in Indonesia. His death has prompted questions over the on-site medics’ response and whether he could have been saved.

The 17-year-old — a member of the Chinese national youth badminton team — was playing in the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta province when he suddenly fell.

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Chinese youth badminton star Zhang Zhijie, 17, died of sudden cardiac arrest during the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Indonesia.
Concerns are raised about the adequacy of the on-site medical response, particularly the delay in performing CPR.
The PBSI attributed the delay to needing referee permission before medical intervention, prompting a request for rule revisions from the Badminton World Federation.

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What Happened When

Sunday night, July 1, 2024：: Chinese youth badminton star Zhang Zhijie collapsed during a match in Indonesia.

By 11:20 p.m. local time, July 1, 2024：: Zhang Zhijie was pronounced dead after repeated efforts to resuscitate him at a local hospital.

Monday, July 2, 2024：: The Chinese Badminton Association released a statement about Zhang Zhijie's death.

Monday, July 2, 2024：: Badminton Association of Indonesia spokesperson Broto Happy provided medical conclusions that Zhang experienced sudden cardiac arrest during a press conference.

Monday, July 2, 2024：: Badminton Asia and the Badminton World Federation both released statements expressing condolences.

Monday, July 2, 2024：: Lu Xiao, a doctor from Zhejiang University School of Medicine, emphasized the need for immediate CPR and defibrillator use in a social media post.