Katherine Diaz Hernandez, one of the top surfers in El Salvador, has been killed after being struck by lightning while training for a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The 22-year-old was struck just after entering the water on March 19 at El Tunco Beach, about 16 kilometers south of the capital San Salvador, local media reported. She was brought ashore by bystanders, but they were unable to revive her.

On Tuesday, surfers in El Salvador held a "paddle out," a tribute at sea where surfers sit on their boards to celebrate the life of a surfer that passed away, to remember Hernandez.

Hernandez started surfing at the age of nine and was also well known in El Tunco for her chef skills.

She had been preparing for the International Surfing Association (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.

Among the 33 sports that will take place at Tokyo 2020, surfing is scheduled to start between July 25 and August 1 this year.

"Katherine embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to us all as a global ambassador of the sport," the ISA said in one of many tributes posted on social media.

Yamil Bukele, the president of the Salvadoran Sports Institute, wrote, "I greatly regret this death, and I join in the family's pain."

(With input from agencies)