El Salvador Surfer Katherine Diaz Dies After Lightning Hits Her During Olympics Practice

Olympic-hopeful surfer Katherine Diaz has passed away after she was struck by lightning during a training session in her hometown of El Salvador. The 22-year-old had entered the waters at El Tunco beach on March 19 to practice for a spot at the Tokyo Olympics to be held later this year, when she was struck. All attempts at medical revival failed.

Tributes are pouring in for the young sportswoman, with the unfortunate incident being mourned by top guns of the surfing industry. The International Surfing Association remembered her

Katherine embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to us all, as a global ambassador of the sport. She excelled at the int'l competition level, representing her country with pride at both the World Surfing Games and ISA World Jr Surfing Championship. pic.twitter.com/IdzbvisUrv

Katherine embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to us all, as a global ambassador of the sport. She excelled at the int'l competition level, representing her country with pride at both the World Surfing Games and ISA World Jr Surfing Championship. pic.twitter.com/IdzbvisUrv

— ISA (@ISAsurfing) March 21, 2021

Remembering Katherine Diaz

Katherine Diaz was a promising surfer who was looking towards world titles. She had previously represented her country at the World Surfing Games and the ISA's World Junior Surfing Championship. The national surfing body in Diaz's country paid their tributes to the late surfer, saying, "El Salvador is in mourning."

Her funeral was held on Sunday, with her surfboard placed next to her coffin.

This is the first Olympics that will feature surfing as a category in one of 33 competitive sports. Diaz, if she had qualified in the ISA World Surf Games to be held in May in El Salvador, would have gone to the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Image Credit: Sportbible