KATE FELDMAN
New York Daily News
Katherine Diaz, a top surfer in El Salvador who was aiming for the Olympics, was killed by a lightning strike Friday.
She was 22.
Diaz was training near her home in El Tunco when she was hit by lightning, according to Spanish-language media. First responders tried to revive her on the beach, but were unsuccessful.
“Katherine embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to us all, as a global ambassador of the sport,” the International Surfing Association said in a statement.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to Katherine’s family, the surfers of El Salvador, and to all those in the international surfing community whose lives she touched.”
Diaz, who represented El Salvador at the ISA World Surfing Games and ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, was training for the World Surf Games next month, which serve as a qualifier for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.
“A great athlete who has represented our country has left us,” the Salvadoran Surf Federation said in a statement. “See you soon, great warrior. El Salvador is in mourning.”
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