Shawn Barber dead: Olympic pole vaulter dies aged just 29 after suffering ‘medical complications’ as tributes pour in

From NCAA titles to Olympic finals, the promising sportsman still had a long road ahead before he died on Wednesday at home in Kingswood, Texas.

Shawn Barber dead: Olympic pole vaulter dies aged just 29 after suffering ‘medical complications’ as tributes pour in. Picture: Getty

Shawn Barber, the Canadian world champion pole vaulter has died at 29 from “medical complications”.

The young athlete died on Wednesday at home in Kingswood, Texas, his agent Paul Doyle confirmed to The Associated Press.

A cause of death was not yet known but Shawn had been experiencing health issues, reports the Sun.

“More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” Doyle said on Thursday.

“It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”

He is survived by his mother, Ann; father, George; and brother, David.

Canadian champion Shawn Barber has died aged 29 . Picture: Getty Images

The Canadian pole vaulter died in his Texas home, his agent said. Picture: Getty Images

Shawn’s cause of death remains unknown. Picture: Getty

He is survived by his mother, Ann; father, George; and brother, David. Picture: Getty Images),

Shawnacy Barber of Canada competes in the Men's Pole Vault final during athletics on day eight of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Carrara Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Shawn was a successful pole vaulter at the University of Akron, where he won consecutive NCAA indoor titles in 2014 and 2015.

The Canadian also won the NCAA outdoor championship in 2015, followed by gold in the Pan-American Games later that summer.

Shawn rode a wave of momentum into the world championships that season in Beijing, where he won gold over Germany’s Raphael Marcel Holzdeppe.

A year later, he reached the final of the 2016 Rio Olympics’ pole vault event, which was won by Brazil’s Thiago Braz.

Shawn’s best vault was six metres on January 15, 2016, in Reno, Nevada.

His mark remains the Canadian record.

This article originally appeared on the Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Shawn Barber dead: Olympic pole vaulter dies aged just 29 after suffering ‘medical complications’ as tributes pour in