‘Tragic’: World Champion Pole Vaulter Dies at Age 29 | The Gateway Pundit

A former world champion pole vaulter died Thursday at age 29.

Shawn Barber, a three-time NCAA champion with the College of Akron in Ohio, died “from medical issues,” the college’s Division of Athletics mentioned in a news release Thursday.

The athlete’s particular explanation for demise was not launched, however the college mentioned he “had fallen in poor health and had been experiencing poor well being for a while.”

The discharge described Barber, who grew to become the Zips’ first male particular person nationwide champion in 2014, as a “well-liked teammate and competitor.”

His agent, Paul Doyle, confirmed that he died at his house in Kingwood, Texas, in accordance with The Associated Press.

“Extra than simply an unbelievable athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person who at all times put others forward of himself,” Doyle instructed the AP.

Canadian world champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber dies at 29 from medical issues https://t.co/ybjAUIO7qt

— The Related Press (@AP) January 19, 2024

“It’s tragic to lose such a great particular person at such a younger age,” he mentioned.

Doyle Administration posted concerning the loss on Instagram, calling Barber a “buddy that may by no means be forgotten.”

“He will likely be tremendously missed,” it mentioned.

Barber, who had twin citizenship within the U.S. and Canada, set an NCAA championship meet document with a soar of 19-4.75 within the 2015 indoor championships, besting the mark of 19-2.25 set by Jacob Davis of the College of Texas in 1999, in accordance with the College of Arkon information launch.

He introduced house a gold medal from the 2015 Pan American Video games in Toronto and represented Canada within the 2016 Olympics, ending tenth.

Barber’s greatest vault was 19-8¼ on Jan. 15, 2016, which continues to be the Canadian document.

His ultimate competitors was in January 2020 in Germany.

Barber is survived by his mom, Ann; his father, George; and his brother, David, the information launch mentioned.

This text appeared initially on The Western Journal.