World champion pole vaulter Shawnacy “Shawn” Barber, has died at age of 29, according to his agent via an Instagram post on Thursday.
His agent Paul Doyle confirmed that he died from medical complications at his home in Texas on Wednesday.
“More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” Doyle said. “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”
Barber had been experiencing poor health for some time after falling ill, according to a statement by the University of Akron Department of Athletics, where he was a student-athlete in the track and field program from 2013 to 2015.
Barber split his youth between Toronto and New Mexico and he first competed when he was seven.
“It was a lot of fun,” Barber told MileSplit in 2012, when he was the U.S.’s best high school pole vaulter. “I didn’t really understand it. I saw it as a game, something to do to pass the time hanging at the barn. I still see it as fun, but I also see it as something that can take me places.”
Barber went on to become the NCAA indoor champion in 2014 and 2015 as well as outdoor champion in 2015.
The University of Akron’s athletics department described Barber as “a well-liked teammate and competitor” with a “distinguished collegiate career.”
At the 2016 Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada, Barber set Canada’s record clearance at six meters (19 feet, 8 ¼ inches).
