Kuala Lumpur: The badminton world was deeply saddened by the tragic death of Chinese badminton rising star Zhang Zhi Jie, who collapsed during his match against Kazuma Kawano of Japan at the 2024 Asia Junior Championships mixed team event. Badminton legends Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan expressed heartfelt condolences and called for changes to improve player safety.
Lee Chong Wei expressed profound sadness and paid tribute to Zhang on social media, urging the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to review and enhance player safety measures and scheduling. Lee stressed the importance of reforms to prevent such tragedies.
Meanwhile, Lin Dan also paid tribute by holding Zhang’s jersey and writing, “Farewell, young one.” He criticized the intense schedules and inadequate rest periods for players, advocating for better conditions to ensure athletes’ well-being.
Both legends’ comments have resonated deeply within the badminton community, emphasizing the urgent need for player safety and scheduling reforms. Their advocacy aims to ensure that Zhang Zhijie’s untimely death leads to significant changes, enhancing the protection and care of players in the sport.
Zhang Zhijie collapsed on June 30 during his match against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead at 11:20 PM. The incident raised concerns as Zhang’s coach, attempting to provide immediate assistance, was stopped by the referee before medical personnel could intervene. This response sparked controversy and calls for improved emergency protocols.
