A recreational badminton session turned tragic after a 54-year-old player suddenly stopped playing, collapsed on court and later died at a hospital in Kluang, Johor.
The incident reportedly happened at a badminton court at about 9.45pm on Aug 29, according to China Press.
The team captain said between 12 and 14 players had gathered across two courts that night. The victim, identified as Lai Tianliang, had already played five or six games and appeared to be in good condition, moving normally around the court.
However, the game suddenly took a devastating turn when Lai told his friends that he no longer wanted to continue. Before he could leave the court, he collapsed and lost consciousness.
“He still had a pulse at the time, but it gradually weakened,” the team captain said, adding that fellow players immediately began administering first aid and called an ambulance from Kluang Hospital.
Lai was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead at around 11pm.
The team captain said Lai had undergone heart surgery more than a year and a half earlier and had taken about three months to recover before returning to badminton.
Despite his medical history, Lai was reportedly passionate about the sport and had not complained of feeling unwell recently, although he had previously experienced knee pain.
His brother said Lai had also appeared to have lost weight in recent months. However, a previous medical examination had reportedly found no major concerns.
Lai, who played badminton mainly for recreation, is survived by his wife and university-going daughter.
The incident also raised concerns over emergency preparedness at the badminton court, as the venue did not have an automated external defibrillator (AED).
The team captain said players had previously raised the need for an AED with the court operator and were told the matter would be addressed.
He added that many of the regular players were aged above 45, prompting them to frequently remind one another not to push themselves if they felt unwell during games.
The incident serves as a reminder that sudden medical emergencies can occur even during recreational activities, making quick access to first aid and emergency equipment particularly important.
