Canadian pole vaulting world champion Shawn Barber, aged 29, has tragically passed away. Barber, renowned as the current record holder for men’s pole vault in Canada, achieved this milestone in January 2016.

Who was Shawn Barber?

Shawnacy Campbell Barber, a distinguished Canadian track and field athlete specializing in pole vault, secured the world champion title with a height of 5.90 meters at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing.

Personal Details:

Name: Shawnacy Campbell Barber (also known as Shawn Barber).

Age and Date of Birth: Born on May 27, 1994, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States.

Place of Birth and Place of Residence: Originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States.

Date of Death: Passed away on January 17, 2024, at the age of 29, at his home in Kingwood, Texas.

Shawn Barber Cause of Death: While the exact cause of death was undisclosed, Barber succumbed to “medical complications” at his residence in Kingswood, Texas, as stated by the University of Akron’s athletics department.

Shawn Barber Family (Parents and Siblings):

Survived by his parents, Ann and George, and his brother, David.

Education:

Barber graduated from Kingwood Park High School in 2012, winning the Class 4A pole vault state title as a senior. He later became a three-time NCAA champion at the University of Akron.

Career and Accomplishments:

• Born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Barber, despite graduating from Kingwood Park, spent his formative years in Toronto and represented Team Canada internationally.
• Regarded as “Canada’s greatest pole vaulter,” Barber achieved a six-meter vault on January 15, 2016, in Reno, Nevada, which still stands as the Canadian national record.
• Secured Gold Medals in 2015 at the World Championships in Beijing and the Pan American Games in Toronto.
• Achieved a commendable 10th-place finish at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
• A member of the Akron Track and Field program from 2013 to 2015.

Legacy:

• Doyle Management, Barber’s management agency, confirmed his passing on Instagram, emphasizing his accomplishments and calling him “a friend that will never be forgotten.”
• Paul Doyle, his agent, expressed the loss of not only an incredible athlete but also a good-hearted person who prioritized others. He highlighted Barber’s Canadian record of 6.0 meters and his title as the 2015 World Champion in pole vault, emphasizing that he will be greatly missed.

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