Katherine Diaz, one of the best surfers in El Salvador who competed to be part of the Olympic team, died on Saturday after being struck by lightning on a beach, her uncle said. She was 22 years old.
Beto Diaz told the Salvadoran media that he was with his niece when she was going to practice on the beach. Diaz met a friend who was going out to catch some waves at the same time. He said that while they were talking, his niece was struck by lightning and his friend was thrown back.
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“She, the friend, was also thrown with the force of lightning, the board threw me back. Katherine died instantly, ”said Beto Diaz.
The International Surfing Association (ISA) released a statement about Diaz’s tragic death.
“It was with a heavy heart that ISA learned of the death of Katherine Diaz from El Salvador,” wrote the organization on social media.
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“Katherine embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to all of us, as a global ambassador for the sport. She stood out in international competitions, representing her country with pride in the ISA World Surfing Games and ISA World Junior Surfing Championship .
“We send our sincere condolences to the Katherine family, the surfers from El Salvador and all the members of the international surfing community whose lives she has touched.
“We will never forget you.”
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Diaz was due to participate in the ISA World Surf Games in May as a precursor to the Tokyo Olympics, which is having a surfing event for the first time in the history of the Games.