Badminton body holds ‘thorough review’ of teenage player’s death

In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 202  Chinese badminton players and coaches pray together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhijie, who collapsed during a match.  (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP) 

Badminton’s governing body on Tuesday announced a “thorough review” following the death of a promising Chinese teenager who collapsed during a match.

Seventeen-year-old Zhang Zhijie was playing at the Asia Junior Championships in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta on Sunday when he suddenly fell to the floor.

Indonesia’s badminton association (PBSI) and Badminton Asia said he was promptly rushed to hospital but died that night having suffered a cardiac arrest.

READ: Chinese badminton player, 17, dies after collapsing on court

However, there were questions about the medical response at the venue. Footage showed it took 40 seconds from when Zhang collapsed for any kind of help to arrive on the court.

“We are taking all necessary steps to thoroughly review this matter in consultation with Badminton Asia and Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI),” the Badminton World Federation (BWF) governing body said in a statement.

A PBSI spokesman on Monday blamed the hesitant emergency response on the referee and said that as hosts they were only adhering to BWF rules.

“Following the completion of our review, we will determine whether specific aspects of these guidelines need to be changed,” the BWF added.

It is also waiting for an official report from Badminton Asia and the local organizing committee “to assess whether the correct medical procedures were followed in providing aid to Zhang when he fell to the court”.

Badminton great Lee Chong Wei earlier Tuesday called for changes in scheduling to give players more time to recover.

READ: Malaysia’s top badminton star Lee Zii Jia banned after quitting national team

The retired Lee, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, told The Star newspaper in Malaysia that Zhang’s shock death should be a wake-up call for the sport.

He said that medical teams needed to be “more alert” and called for the BWF to “review their match and tournament schedule”.

“He appeared tired and it’s sad to accept the reality that China’s future top player is gone,” Lee said.

Chinese state media has also questioned the emergency response.