Katherine Diaz: Olympic Surf Hopeful From El Salvador Killed by Lightning

While preparing for her Olympic debut this summer, Katherine Diaz, a top surfer from El Salvador, was killed after a lightning struck her during a training session.

A social media post of the Salvadoran Surf Federation paid tribute to Katherine Diaz after it confirmed that the great athlete, who represented their country, has passed away. The federation also mentioned that El Salvador is mourning the loss of a great warrior.

According to The Guardian, 22-year-old Diaz had entered the water for her training session on a beach in El Tunco on Friday when she was struck by lightning. Based on the report, emergency services tried to revive Diaz on the beach, but the rescuers' attempts were not successful.

Moreover, a news agency reported that the weather's drastic change had caught those individuals on the beach by surprise. The location of the beach where she had been training was near her home.

The source said that the sky was clear at first, and then there was an unforeseen storm "that did not seem to carry much electrical intensity either."

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has also paid tribute to Katherine Diaz. In the statement, the group expressed sadness over Diaz's passing.

As a global ambassador of the sport, the group also shared that Diaz embodied the joy and energy that make surfing special and dear to all of them.

They also said that Katherine Diaz excelled in the local and international competition level, representing her country with pride at both the ISA World Surfing Games and ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

Olympic Qualifier

The 22-year-old Salvadoran surfer was preparing for the ISA World Surf Games in El Salvador this May, as it will act as a qualifier for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Aside from her training for the global competition, which is set to be held in her own country, Katherine Diaz also worked as a chef and opened her own business in El Tunco. Katherine Diaz recently named La Bocana at El Tunco Beach as her favorite wave, News.com.au reported.

The president of the National Institute of Sports of El Salvador (INDES), Yamil Bukele, also expressed condolences to the Salvadoran surfer's family. He also asked for peace on Diaz's soul, adding that his thoughts and prayers are with the Salvadoran surfer, her family, and the surfing community.

Messages of support coming from surfing fans all over the world also flooded social media. Some fans were saddened about losing a talented and dedicated surfer at such a young age.

In the wake of Diaz's death, her brother, Bamba Diaz, who is also a former professional surfer, judge, and current president of the Salvadoran Surf Federation, has posted a number of tributes. In one of the tributes, Bamba wrote that they will always carry her in hearts and they will love Katherine forever, Yahoo Sport Australia reported.

One of the Salvadoran surfer teammates, Josselyn Alabi, said the loss of Katherine Diaz in the waves totally hurt them. She added that the incident impacted them.

WATCH: Olympic Surfing Hopeful Katherine Diaz Killed by Lightning While Training - From The Guardian