29-year-old Canadian pole vaulting world champion Shawn Barber passes away.

29-year-old Canadian pole vaulting world champion Shawn Barber passes away.

In January 2016, Barber established the Canadian mark for the men’s pole vault. Following his gold medal performance in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, he went on to secure the IAAF World Championship title later that same year in Beijing, China.

On Wednesday, at his residence in Kingwood, Texas, Barber succumbed to medical complications, the athletics department of the University of Akron reported in a statement.

On Thursday, Paul Doyle, the agent of Canadian world champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber, informed CNN of his untimely death at the age of 29.

Barber participated in the track and field program at the University of Akron during his collegiate years. During that time, he led the team to three NCAA championships.

“Barber had become ill and had been suffering from poor health for a considerable period of time,” read a statement from the athletic department.

In the statement, the university recalled Barber as “a likable teammate and rival.” At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Barber debuted at the Olympic level and qualified for the final, which was ultimately won by Tiago Braz of Brazil.

Doyle confirmed to CNN in his statement to the Associated Press that Shawn was “such a kind-hearted person who always put others before himself—more than just an extraordinary athlete.” “Being that young to lose a person who was kind is tragic.”

Paul Doyle, his agent, informed the Associated Press on Wednesday that he passed away at his residence in Kingwood, Texas.

The source did not disclose the cause of his passing, but Barber had been afflicted with certain health complications.

On Thursday, his management agency confirmed on Instagram the passing of Shawn Barber, a Canadian Olympic pole vaulter, who will be perpetually remembered as a friend. Shawn Barber, an Olympic pole vaulter from Canada, has died.

Doyle Management conveyed their profound sorrow over his passing and enumerated several of his notable achievements, which included attaining the pole jump world championship in 2015.

As reported by CTV News, the victory marked Canada’s inaugural global pole vault medal and its first athletics global title in a span of twelve years.

In addition to being a student-athlete at the University of Akron, Barber won multiple titles, including the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Pole Vault Championship and the 2014 as well as 2015 NCAA Indoor Pole Vault Championship.

He placed the Pan American Games gold medallist in 2015 and advanced to the 2016 Olympic finals in Rio de Janeiro.

According to the Associated Press, Barber’s best leap was six meters, which he achieved on January 15, 2016, in Reno, Nevada. This remains the Canadian record.

Barber, who was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, possessed dual Canadian-American citizenship, as reported by CTV News.

George, his father, was born in Ontario, Canada, and represented Canada at the 1983 World Championships in the pole vault.

The national governing body for track and field, Athletics Canada, paid tribute to his achievement on X, formerly Twitter, with the following message: “Our deepest condolences are extended to the family and friends of Shawn Barber, Canadian Pole Vaulter, 2015 World Champion, Rio 2016 Olympian, and Holder of the Canadian Record.”

Barber participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro the subsequent year, reaching the finals and ultimately placing tenth. Thiago Braz of Brazil won the gold medal in that course.

Barber won three NCAA championships during his tenure at the University of Akron. Additionally, he won two indoor titles, including the 2013 Pan American Junior Championships, the 2014 Pan American Games, and the 2016 World Indoor Tour.

Barber’s professional zenith occurred in 2015 when he triumphed at the Beijing World Championships by successfully clearing 5.90 meters on his inaugural attempt.

On their third attempt, German rival Raphael Holzdeppe tied him, but both athletes were unable to surpass 6 meters, leaving Barber in the lead as the reigning world champion.