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Chinese badminton player Zhang died of cardiac arrest
Zhang was competing at the Asian Junior Championship in Yogyakarta when he collapsed on court.
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Chinese badminton player Zhang Zi Jie. (The Jakarta Post/PBSI)
T
he Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) said 17-year-old Chinese player Zhang Zhijie died as a result of cardiac arrest after he collapsed during a match on Sunday.
Zhang was competing at the Asian Junior Championship in Yogyakarta when he collapsed on court.
He received medical attention at the scene and was then rushed to hospital in Yogyakarta before being pronounced dead, state news agency Antara quoted PBSI spokesperson Broto Happy as saying on Monday.
"The conclusions of the examination and treatment of the victim from two hospitals show the same results, the victim experienced sudden cardiac arrest," Broto added.
Zhang had no pulse when he arrived at the first hospital, Broto said. He was treated for around three hours before being taken to the second hospital, which pronounced him dead at 11:20 p.m.
Zhang's family would come to Yogyakarta to take his body, Broto said.
China's badminton association has told state-backed China Newsweek that they were in communication with the Indonesian side about concerns over whether Zhang had received timely medical attention.
Zhang was suddenly taken ill during a match late Sunday against Japan's Kazuma Kawano at the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta.
The score was 11-11 in the first game when Zhang fell to the floor between points.
The teenager received treatment at the venue and was rushed to hospital by ambulance, but passed away later that night after repeated efforts to resuscitate him failed.
The spokesman defended the actions of medical staff and local organisers after footage showed what appeared to be a hesitant response to the teenager falling face down on the court.
He said that medical teams had to wait for the referee to let them on the court.
"The world of badminton has lost a talented player," Badminton Asia and the PBSI said in a statement.
Zhang started playing badminton in kindergarten and joined China's national youth team last year.
Earlier this year he won the singles title at the Dutch Junior International, a prestigious youth tournament.
China's badminton association said it was "deeply saddened".
"Zhang Zhijie loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team," the CBA said in a statement.
