Katherine Diaz, one of El Salvador’s best surfers, was killed while training for a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics, officials said.
The International Surfing Association – the world’s leading surfing authority – issued a statement on Saturday after the 22-year-old’s death, saying that she “embodies the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to all of us.”
“She stood out at the level of international competition, representing her country with pride in both the ISA World Surfing Games and the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship,” said the organization. “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.”
The surfer was hit after entering the water on Friday at El Tunico beach, about 10 miles from the capital of San Salvador, according to local media. Her uncle Beto Díaz, who is also a surf coach, told ElSalvador.com that he went with her and that she was meeting a friend to practice.
“Katherine came over to hug her friend, and as soon as she hugged you, you heard the lightning,” he told the outlet. “Her friend went flying because of the lightning force and dropped my surfboard. Katherine died instantly.”
Diaz was preparing for the ISA World Surfing Games, which will take place from May 29 to June 6 on the beaches of La Bocana and El Sunzal, in El Salvador. The seven best women in the event who have not yet qualified will win a spot at the late Tokyo Olympics, where the sport will make its official debut at the Olympics.
Her brother Jose Diaz posted a photo with her on Instagram, saying “You will be forever in our hearts. God has decided to take you now. We miss you already.”
A funeral for Diaz was held over the weekend and the photos show that his coffin was surrounded by trophies and a surfboard. Rosa Amelia Hernández, Diaz’s mother, told ElSalvador.com that although her daughter wanted to be cremated, they buried her across the ocean, where she died.
“I couldn’t cremate her remains, but I made sure that she would rest in front of the sea, because the sea was her life,” said Hernandez.
Yamil Bukele, president of the Salvadoran Sports Institute and brother of the country’s president, lamented his loss on Twitter.
“It is a big loss for our sport”, Bukele tweeted. “All our solidarity with our surfer family. I am with you in your pain.”