The champion surfer was reportedly competing in El Salvador at the time of his death.
I’m really sorry to hear that. A very good surfer from Ecuador named Israel Barona has passed away. He was 34 years old. He had a serious health problem while he was in a hotel in Central America earlier this week. The police in that area were the first to tell everyone about his sad passing on Tuesday, October 31st.
They said that he had a sudden and strong shaking of his body, and even though he was taken to a hospital, he had already passed away.
The police said that they are sure it was not a case of someone intentionally causing harm to him. They’re certain it wasn’t a crime.
His death was also confirmed in a statement by the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee, who shared a comment on social media earlier this week.
“Olympic Games extend their heartfelt condolences to the Barona Matute family, in the face of the death of the great athlete of the #TeamEcuador Surf, Israel Barona Matute,” the translated statement read. “Rest in peace champion…”
Barona began surfing when he was 10 years old. By the time he was 15, he was already competing in contests within his country. He had a long career of almost 20 years in surfing. During this time, he won many contests in Ecuador, represented his country in global surfing competitions like the World Surfing Games and Bolivarian Games, and often took part in important events organized by the World Surf League.
Many fellow surfers and fans have since shared tributes morning the devastating loss, including documentary film maker Diego Arcos, who wrote that he was in “shock” over the sudden death.
“Shock in Ecuadorian and world surfing due to the sudden death of Israel Barona,” Arcos shared via X. “The surfer from Montañita was competing in El Salvador at the time of his death. Our condolences to family and especially to his sister Mimi Barona”
He is survived by his sister, Dominic “Mimi” Barona, who is one of the best female surfers in Latin America and coached new generations of surfers alongside her late brother.
SOURCE:PARADE