Badminton Star Zhang Zhijie Dead At 17 After Collapsing On Court During Match

The badminton world is mourning the loss of one of its own.

Chinese player Zhang Zhijie died June 30 after collapsing on the court during the Asian Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, according to the Associated Press. He was 17.

While playing against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano, Zhang began experiencing seizures. He was treated by the tournament’s medical staff before being taken to a local hospital. He was then transferred to the Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, where the teen ultimately died.

"The conclusion of the examination and treatment of the victim at both hospitals showed the same results,” Broto Happy, spokesperson of Badminton Association of Indonesia, told reporter afterwards, “namely that the victim experienced sudden cardiac arrest.”

The following day, at the tournament’s quarterfinals, players paid tribute to Zhang with a moment of silence.

“Badminton Asia, PBSI [Badminton Association of Indonesia] and the organizing committee are immensely saddened and expressed their deepest condolences to Zhang’s parents, family and Chinese Badminton Association (CBA),” the organizations shared in a joint statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The world of badminton has lost a talented player.”

Zhang, a rising talent set to take over the sport, “loved badminton,” the Chinese Badminton Associate shared, and “was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team.”

“We feel deeply distressed over the unfortunate death of Zhang Zhijie from a sudden illness while competing in an international competition,” the tribute continued. “We express our sincere gratitude to all sectors of the society for the concern and help given to Zhang Zhijie. We will do our best to provide help to Zhang Zhijie’s family.”