PV Sindhu expressed deep sorrow as a 17-year-old Chinese badminton player tragically passed away while competing in an international tournament in Indonesia.
Zhang Zhijie collapsed on the court during a match against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano at the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta.
The incident occurred when the score was tied at 11-11 in the first game. Despite receiving immediate medical attention at the venue and being swiftly transported to the hospital, Zhang could not be revived.
The exact cause of Zhang’s sudden collapse has yet to be determined. Both Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) issued a joint statement confirming the heartbreaking news of his passing at 11:20 PM local time on Sunday.
Zhang, who began playing badminton in kindergarten and recently joined China’s national youth team, had shown promise by winning the singles title at the prestigious Dutch Junior International earlier this year.
The Chinese Badminton Association expressed profound grief over the loss of Zhang, describing him as a dedicated athlete who loved the sport deeply.
In response to the tragic event, a moment of silence was observed at the tournament in Yogyakarta, where the Chinese team wore black armbands in honor of Zhang.
P.V. Sindhu, an Olympic medalist from India, extended her condolences to Zhang’s family, describing his death as a significant loss to the badminton community.
Source: NDTV
