Olympic Surfing Hopeful Dead at 34
Ecuadorian surfing star Israel Barona had dreams of competing in the Olympics, but sadly the athlete will never see his dreams realized. El Salvador‘s National Civil Police reported Barona’s death earlier this week after he suffered a medical emergency in his hotel in El Zonte.
According to the authorities, the surfer suffered seizures in his hotel room, which ultimately led to his death at the age of 34. “He was taken to a hospital,” the police reported. “However, he was already deceased [when he arrived].” They ruled out homicide as a cause of death, eliminating the possibility of foul play.
Reportamos el fallecimiento del surfista ecuatoriano Joshua Israel Barona, quién sufrió convulsiones mientras estaba en un hotel en El Zonte, La Libertad.
Fue trasladado a un centro asistencial, sin embargo ya estaba fallecido.
Se descarta homicidio.
— PNC El Salvador (@PNCSV) October 31, 2023
The Ecuadorian Olympic Committee confirmed Barona’s passing on social media and mourned the loss of a beloved figure in the country.
“The Olympic Movement extends its heartfelt condolences to the Barona Matute family, following the death of the great athlete of Team Ecuador Surf, Israel Barona Matute,” the statement read. “May our Lord provide comfort to his family, friends, and colleagues in this difficult time.”
NOTA DE PESAR |
El olimpismo extiende sus sentidas condolencias a la familia Barona Matute, frente al deceso del gran deportista del #TeamEcuador Surf, Israel Barona Matute. Descansa en paz campeón…@wsl @ISAsurfing @PASA_Surf @SurfEcuador pic.twitter.com/ZC6MYWeNHW
— Comite_Olimpico_Ecu (@ECUADORolimpico) October 31, 2023
The statement also noted his connection with his sister, Dominic “Mimi” Barona, who is a decorated surfer for Team Ecuador herself. She made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics, representing Ecuador as the only surfer from the country to compete that year.
Mimi posted a touching tribute to her brother in an Instagram story after his death. “I love you, my beautiful Nanito,” she said with a photo of the two on a beach. “My love, my everything, you are my light forever.”
