The tragic incident occurred at the Asia Junior Badminton Championship 2024.
17-year-old Zhang Zhi Jie tragically passed away following a heart attack during a badminton match. The heartbreaking incident took place at the Asia Junior Badminton Championship 2024. Zhang was representing China in a group-stage match against Japan. With the score tied at 11-11, Zhang suddenly collapsed on the court, shocking players and spectators alike.
As per Ben Beckman, “Zhang suddenly fell to the ground, face down, and started to convulse, shaking quite violently. Everyone in attendance wasn’t quite sure what had happened, the Chinese coach looked bewildered but understandably worried. Thankfully he quickly realised something wasn’t right, calling for the doctors, and Zhang quickly received medical treatment, was stretchered off, and taken to the nearest hospital.”
Initial reports suggested Zhang was recovering, but a few hours later, devastating news confirmed his passing.
Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia issued the following statement regarding the incident:
“YOGYAKARTA (1ST JULY 2024) – CHINA’S ZHANG ZHI JIE, A SINGLES PLAYER, COLLAPSED ON THE COURT DURING A MATCH IN THE EVENING AND WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL WHERE HE PASSED AWAY AT 23.20 LOCAL TIME YESTERDAY.
ZHI JIE WAS PLAYING A GROUP STAGE MATCH AGAINST JAPAN WHEN HE COLLAPSED AND WAS ATTENDED TO BY THE TOURNAMENT DOCTOR AND MEDICAL TEAM. HE WAS TAKEN IN THE STANDBY AMBULANCE IN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES AND SENT TO HOSPITAL.
BADMINTON ASIA, PBSI AND THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE ARE IMMENSELY SADDENED AND EXPRESSED THEIR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ZHANG’S PARENTS, FAMILY AND CHINESE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION (CBA). THE WORLD OF BADMINTON HAS LOST A TALENTED PLAYER. FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE REVEALED LATER TODAY.” (source – Badminton_Asia Twitter)
Zhang Zhi Jie was a promising 17-year-old talent from China. He rose to prominence in October 2023 by winning the Asian Junior U-17 men’s singles championship, becoming only the third Chinese player to achieve this distinction. His impressive performance continued into 2024, where he won the Yonex Dutch Junior International and finished as a finalist at the Yonex German Junior Championships shortly after.
The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through the badminton community, with many expressing their grief and condolences. Rest in peace, Zhang Zhi Jie.