Geoff Capes dies at the age of 75; he remains Britain's shot put record holder, after throwing 21.68m in 1980, and was twice Commonwealth Games champion for England; Capes went on to win World's Strongest Man on two occasions, in 1983 and 1985
Thursday 24 October 2024 06:34, UK
Geoff Capes, a two-time former World's Strongest Man and still the British shot put record holder, has died at the age of 75, his family has announced.
Capes threw his British record 21.68m in the shot put in 1980 and won gold in the event for England at the 1975 and 1978 Commonwealth Games.
He took part in three Olympic Games, with a best finish of fifth in Moscow in 1980.
The Lincolnshire-born athlete won World's Strongest Man in 1983 and 1985 and finished in the top three on a further four occasions.
Capes also won the World Highland Games six times and claimed a world title for breeding budgerigars.
The statement from Capes' family read: "The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, 23rd October. Britain's finest shot putter and twice world's strongest man."
Capes' other shot put medals included gold at the European Indoor Championships in 1974 and 1976 and bronze outdoors at the European Championships in 1974.
In addition to his two wins, Capes finished on the podium four more times in the World's Strongest Man competition.
The official SBD World's Strongest Man account wrote on X: "We are saddened to hear of the passing of one of the greatest strength athletes of all time, Geoff Capes. Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in Strength."
Retired British strongman Eddie "The Beast" Hall, who won the title in 2017, shared a photo of the pair on Instagram alongside the caption: "One of the true legends of strength-Geoff Capes has sadly passed away today.
"Not only was Geoff a two-time World's Strongest Man and a record-breaking shot putter, but he was also a giant in heart and spirit. He paved the way for athletes like me, showing that British grit and determination could conquer the world.
"Geoff was an inspiration to so many of us growing up, a man whose incredible achievements and character left a lasting mark on the strength community. His legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of strongmen and athletes around the world.
"Rest easy, big man. You'll always be remembered as one of the greatest."
British former WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno wrote on X: "RIP Geoff Capes we met a number of times he kept asking me if I wanted to get into weight lifting.
"I declined he wanted to arm wrestle with me but I introduced him to my pal Gary Mason who loved arm wrestling and left them to it!!"
