In sad news, Canadian Pole Vault World Champion, Shawn Barber, passed away at the age of 29. He passed away on Wednesday at his Kingwood, Texas, home, according to Paul Doyle, his agent who spoke with the Associated Press. Barber had been having health problems, however, the reason for his death was not disclosed.
His management company posted on Instagram on Thursday, confirming the news, writing, a friend that will never be forgotten, Shawn Barber, a Canadian Olympic pole vaulter, passed away.
Doyle Management stated that he will be sorely missed and enumerated his many achievements, including taking home the global pole vault championship in 2015. According to CTV News, the victory gave Canada its first-ever world pole vault medal and its first sports world championship in twelve years.
Early life
Barber competed as a student-athlete at the University of Akron, where he won several titles, including the NCAA Indoor Pole Vault Championship in 2014 and 2015 as well as the NCAA Outdoor Pole Vault Championship in 2015.
He finished as a finalist in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 and won a gold medal in the Pan American Games in 2015. Barber’s greatest vault, which he achieved in Reno, Nevada on January 15, 2016, stands as the Canadian record which measured six meters according to the Associated Press.
Barber has dual citizenship with the United States and Canada. He was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico. George, his father who was in Ontario, Canada, competed for Canada in pole vaulting at the 1983 World Championships.
Athletics Canada, the national governing body for track and field in Canada, posted on X and paid their tributes to the late athlete by sending their prayers and thoughts to the friends and family of Shawn, Canadian Record Holder, 2015 World Champion, and Rio 2016 Olympian.
In addition to expressing his sorrow and respect for Barber, Doyle, Barber’s agent, said, he was more than an incredible athlete, he was a good-hearted being, and he always put others before himself.
Personal Life
Barber’s estimated net worth at the time of his passing ranged from $1 million to $5 million. His great career as a pole vaulter was the main source of his income. Born in Kincardine, Ontario, Shawn Barber was a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.
His father was born in Kincardine, Ontario, but raised in El Paso, Texas. When he was ten years old, his parents divorced, and he and his mother relocated to New Caney, Texas. In April 2017, Barber came out as gay in public.
Shawn Barber’s premature passing at the age of 29 abruptly ended his bright sporting career. His noteworthy accomplishments in pole vaulting, such as his world championship title and record-breaking feats, are what will stick with him. Even though he has had personal difficulties, his athletic accomplishments continue to demonstrate his skill and commitment.
Other Athletic Achievements
At the 2015 Texas Relays, Shawn Barber recorded a national record and personal best leap of 5.91 meters, which also established an NCAA Collegiate Record.
In 2015, Barber accomplished his greatest outdoor jump of 5.93 meters. At the 2015 NCAA championships, he won the event with a leap of 5.60 meters, and the same year, he was recognized as the USTFCCCA Great Lakes Regional Field Athlete of the Year.
In 2015 Shawn Barber competed at the Toronto, Ontario, Pan American Games. He was able to tie the previous Pan-American record of 5.80 meters, achieved by Lázaro Borges. He inked a contract with Nike following this achievement.
Furthermore, he participated in the Beijing 2015 Global Championships in Athletics, winning the global championship with a stunning 5.90-meter leap.
This was Canada’s first world championship in athletics since 2003, which was a noteworthy accomplishment. A 5.90-meter leap. This was Canada’s first world championship in athletics since 2003, which was a noteworthy accomplishment.
