Katherine Diaz: Olympic surf hopeful, 22, killed by lightning in training

“Katherine came to hug her [friend], as soon as she finished hugging her, the noise was heard, “Diaz’s uncle Beto Diaz, who says he was in the water with her, told a newspaper in El Salvador . ” She, the friend, was thrown by the force of lightning too, the board sent me back. Katherine died instantly. “

The International Surfing Association (ISA) 2021 Surf City El Salvador World Surf Games will take place from May 29 to June 6 on the beaches of La Bocana and El Sunzal and will serve as the final qualifying tournament for Tokyo 2020, where surfing will be making its first Olympic appearance.

“Katherine embodied the joy and energy that makes surfing so special and so dear to all of us, as a global sports ambassador,” ISA said of the surfer, whose brother, Jose Diaz, is the president of the Salvadoran Surfing Federation (FESASURF).

“She has excelled at the level of international competitions, representing her country with pride at the ISA World Surfing Games and the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

“We extend our sincere condolences to Katherine’s family, the surfers of El Salvador and all of the international surfing community whose lives she touched.”

FESASURF, ISA and the National Institute of Sport of El Salvador did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.