| Zhang Zhijie | |
| Country: | China |
| Birth Date: | 2007 1, df=yes[1] |
| Birth Place: | Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China[2] |
| Death Place: | Yogyakarta, Indonesia |
Zhang Zhijie (Chinese: 张志杰; 30 January 2007 – 30 June 2024) was a Chinese badminton player. He played for China in the 2024 Badminton Asia Junior Championships before his death.[1]
Zhang won the 2024 Dutch Junior International beating fellow Chinese player Hu Zhe'an 21–10, 11–21, 13–21.[3]
Zhang went on to reach the final at the 2024 German Junior before losing to Wang Zijun 13–21, 21–16, 16–21.[3]
At the 2024 Badminton Asia Junior Championships' award ceremony, Zhang's jersey was lifted onto the podium. He was awarded the gold posthumously.[4]
Zhang was playing against Kazuma Kawano in a match during the 2024 Badminton Asia Junior Championships. He collapsed onto the court when the score was 11-11 and died of cardiac arrest.[5]
Indian badminton player P. V. Sindhu and Malaysian badminton player Lee Chong Wei offered condolences to Zhang's family. Badminton World Federation, Badminton Asia, Chinese Badminton Association and Badminton Association of Indonesia said that they were deeply saddened by the loss of Zhang.[6] [7] [8]
Chinese citizens and the Xinhua News Agency criticized the events leading up to his death after a video of his death showed a medic running towards Zhang, then stopping at the edge of court to wait for the referee to give permission. In response, the Badminton Association of Indonesia announced that they would ask the Badminton World Federation to re-consider the rule requiring medics to wait for permission before attending to players.[9] [10]
As of 18 July 2024, Zhang’s body is still being held at the Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta, even after his family’s arrival from China. The situation has left many questioning the delay in repatriating the deceased player’s remains.[11]