CHINA'S top badminton doubles player Zheng Yumin collapsed during the final of the Asian Championships at Queen Elizabeth Stadium yesterday, bringing the tournament to an abrupt end, with Indonesia being awarded the title. A live television audience and a 3,000-strong crowd at the Wan Chai arena watched in horror as Zheng fell to the floor, twitching, shortly after the start of the fourth rubber in the best-of-five final. The 25-year-old from Fujian province was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac massage by medical personnel before being taken to neighbouring Tang Shiu Kin Hospital. He was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital where late last night his condition was described as satisfactory. The secretary-general of the Asian Badminton Confederation, Mr Punch Gunalan, said a duty doctor reported that Zhang had suffered a case of involuntary contraction of muscles. ''Zheng could hardly breathe after he collapsed and his pulse had stopped, but it was restored after he was given a DC (electric) shock,'' Mr Gunalan said. ''He regained consciousness after arriving at the hospital and we are told that he is now out of danger.'' Some people in the audience said they believed the pressure of having to beat Indonesia in his match brought on the spasm. Zheng and compatriot Huang Zhanzhong, the No 3 doubles combination in the world, needed to defeat Hermawan Susanto and Imay Hendra to keep China's winning hopes alive. Indonesia, China's chief rival in world badminton, were leading 2-1. The Chinese pair won the first two points of the match after a 10-minute warm-up. But as he set himself to receive a serve from Indonesian Imay Hendra, Zheng suddenly reeled backwards and collapsed on the court. Huang froze in horror at the sight and tears welled in his eyes as he realised the severity of his partner's trouble. Spectators were also shaken and some became so worried for Zheng that they shouted at medical personnel to hurry up, in their efforts to revive him. ''We've been playing together for four years and nothing like this has ever happened to him,'' Huang said later. ''He has always enjoyed good health and I couldn't believe he was overcome by pressure, as he has been in the national team for many years and has lots of international experience.'' Chinese coach Huang Zhiqiang said national squad players were required to undergo two complete medical examinations a year. Zheng was ''perfectly healthy'' when he took his test in January. Indonesia were awarded the match on default, to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. As a courtesy to the Chinese team, Indonesia conceded the last of the singles matches which would have been between Ardy Wiranata and Wan Zhengwen. Indonesian coach Indra Gunawan said: ''There is bitter rivalry between Indonesia and China on the badminton courts, but we are very close friends off the arena. ''It's unfortunate this great final has ended like this. It is not a nice way to win, but it has happened. ''We wish Zheng Yumin a speedy recovery.'' Executive committee member of the Hongkong Badminton Association Mr So Ka-ching said doctors at Tang Shiu Kin hospital informed him that Zheng had regained consciousness at 5.50 pm, about 35 minutes after he had collapsed. Mr So said Zheng appeared normal before the match and had done warm-up exercises for about 10 minutes. They attributed the attack to the pressure of winning. ''The Chinese team had lost two of the first three matches and if they were defeated in the fourth, they lost the championship,'' said Mr Tong Yuen-ming, a badminton player in the court. Mr Tong said he was worried Zheng might have to retire early because of his health. ''He is a good player and he is young,'' he said. ''It will be a pity if he has to retire early. Some players compete until they are in their 30s.''
