by Larry Eder
Shawn Barber, photo by PhotoRun.net
Barber opener 588
KILLEEN (USA, Jan 2): Pole vault World champion Shawn Barber opened his indoor campaign at a meet in Texas with excellent 588 cm. Already in second half of January he is expected at indoor meetings in Europe for his first pro indoor season. He also tried at six meters. Demi Payne went over 452 from the short run-up.
Editor’s note: Shawn Barber upset the pole vault world with his win in Beijing. Well, not really. The Canadian was showing moments of vaulting brilliance all summer. His World Champs performance showed that an attention to details is key at the Worlds, especially when one competes against the World Record holder, the current World Champion among noted stars in field. That Barber did not suffer from performance anxiety was an accomplishment in itself.
Shawn Barber is the man to beat in Rio. This helps Renaud Lavillenie immensely. Renaud knows, better than anyone, when he has a focus, he vaults well. The Rio pole vault should be most interesting.
