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Dead Chinese shuttler’s body remains unclaimed in hospital
The family of Chinese shuttler Zhang Zhi Jie has requested more time before Indonesian authorities and the PBSI send his body back to China.
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In this handout picture taken and released on July 1, 2024 by the public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), Chinese badminton players and coaches (in white jackets and black armbands), along with all players competing in the 2024 Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, pray together for Chinese player Zhang Zhi Jie, 17, who collapsed and died during a match against Japan.. (AFP/Handout/Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI))
The body of Chinese badminton player Zhang Zhi Jie remains unclaimed by his family nearly a month after his death on Jun. 30.
As of Wednesday, Zhang’s body has been at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Sleman, Yogyakarta, for 24 days. The hospital has confirmed that it is safely stored in cold storage, awaiting further instructions from the family or the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).
Zhang died on June 30, during the group stage of the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2024 at Among Rogo Sports Hall in Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta.
Competing in the men's singles event, he collapsed during a match against Japanese shuttler Kazuma Kawano. Zhang lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital but did not regain consciousness, his death was recorded as due to cardiac arrest.
Despite the PBSI’s efforts to repatriate Zhang's body, his family has requested more time.
PBSI spokesman Broto Happy said the family had asked for another week to claim the body, though the reasons are unclear.
"Yes, Zhang’s body is still at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta. The family has asked for another week before retrieving it," Broto said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com.
Meanwhile, the hospital's legal and public relations head Banu Hermaan previously confirmed that the body was safe and well preserved.
"God willing, this will continue, as our coolers are capable of long-term storage. There is no special treatment, just storage," Banu said.
The hospital is awaiting instructions and information from the family or the PBSI regarding the decision to release Zhang Zhi Jie’s body.
"We are still waiting for directions from Zhang’s family or information from the PBSI," Banu said.
