A 22-year old surfer who had hopes of qualifying for the Olympics was killed by lightning on a beach in El Salvador, national sporting officials said Saturday. Katherine Díaz Hernández, 22, was practicing near her home at the Pacific coast beach of El Tunco when she was hit by lightning on Friday. Katherine's brother Bamba Diaz paid an emotional tribute to his sister and wrote, "Sister we will always carry you in our hearts. God decided to take you now. We already miss you. Love forever." She had been training a global tournament, set to be held in El Salvador, that serves as a qualifying event for this year’s Summer Olympic Games. Díaz also worked as a chef and had opened her own business in El Tunco.
The International Surfing Association wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that the ISA has learned about the passing of El Salvador’s Katherine Diaz. 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 international competition level, representing her country with pride at both the ISA World Surfing Games and ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. 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. We will never forget you."