Salvadoran surfer Katherine Diaz has been killed after being struck by lightning while training for a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics.
The 22-year-old was struck just after entering the water on Friday at El Tunco Beach, about 16 kilometres south of capital San Salvador, local media reported.
"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 (ISA) said in one of many tributes posted on social media.
#Viral || 🎥 En #Ecuador un grupo de surfistas rindió homenaje a la vida de Katherine Diaz, la surfista que murió tras ser impactada por un rayo, mientras entrenaba en #ElTunco. La noticia ha trascendido a escala mundial. pic.twitter.com/39AnqkjVzc
— Diario La Huella (@LaHuellaSV) March 22, 2021
El Salvador's National Institute of Sports head Yamil Bukele paid tribute to Diaz on Twitter, saying he was "very sorry" for the loss and offering "solidarity" with her friends and family.
"Her loss in the waves hurts and impacts us," teammate Josselyn Alabi said.
Diaz had been preparing for the ISA World Surfing Games, which will be held from May 29 to June 6 at the La Bocana and El Sunzal beaches in El Salvador.
The top seven women at the event who have not already qualified will earn a place at the delayed Tokyo Olympics, where surfing will be a medal sport for the first time.
