Chinese men’s singles badminton player, Zhang Zhi Jie, died after collapsing while competing at the 2024 Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta. This sad news was conveyed in a statement from the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) on Monday (1/7/2024) early morning local time.
Zhang Zhi Jie is defending his country, China, in the third match against Japan on Sunday (30/6/2024) at GOR Amongrogo, Yogyakarta. “Zhang Zhi Jie from China, a singles player, collapsed on the field during the evening match, then was rushed to hospital and pronounced died at 23.20 local time yesterday,” said a statement from PBSI. “Zhi Jie was playing a group stage match against Japan when he collapsed and was treated by the tournament doctor and medical team. He was taken by standby ambulance in less than two minutes to hospital,” the statement continued.
The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) said that it took the medical team 1 minute 20 seconds to provide first aid after Zhang collapsed. The medical team can only enter the field after being permitted by the tournament referee. This is in accordance with the competition regulations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
In less than two minutes, Zhang was rushed to the Dr S Harjolukito Air Force Central Hospital which is the referral from Badminton Asia. The hospital is 4.7 kilometers away with a travel time of 10 minutes. However, Zhang showed no signs of spontaneous breathing and pulse, so the medical team performed a cardiac massage procedure upon arrival at the hospital.
After receiving a breathing apparatus for three hours, Zhang’s condition did not improve. The medical team actually declared Zhang dead at 20.50 WIB after there was no spontaneous circulatory response and signs of secondary death began to appear. However, Chinese officials requested further treatment by transferring Zhang to Dr Sardjito Hospital where he arrived not breathing. After being treated for 1.5 hours at Dr Sardjito Hospital, the Chinese junior badminton player did not show a spontaneous circulation response. Badminton player Zhang Zhi Jie was declared dead on Sunday at 23.20 WIB.
PBSI, Badminton Asia, and the organizing committee also expressed their condolences for the passing of Zhang Zhi Jie. “Badminton Asia, PBSI, and the Organizing Committee express their deepest condolences and condolences to Zhang’s parents, family, and the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA). The world of badminton has lost a talented player,” said PBSI.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, expressed his condolences for the death of badminton player. Not only that, his party has also communicated with the Indonesian government regarding the medical treatment received by Zhang Zhi Jie. Moreover, PBSI is now waiting for the family to arrive to repatriate Zhang’s body to its country of origin.
