Geoff Capes dead at 75: Two-time world’s strongest man and Britain’s most famous shot-putter passes away
Geoffrey Capes, the two-time world’s strongest man and British shot-putter, has died at the age of 75.
Capes was twice the Commonwealth Games champion in the shot put and claimed two European indoor titles.
He was also crowned world’s strongest man in 1983 and 1985.
A family statement said: ‘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.’
Geoffrey Capes, a two-time Commonwealth Games shot put champion, has died aged 75
Capes was also crowned as the world’s strongest man on two occasions in 1983 and 1985
He represented Britain at three Olympics and Commonwealth Games during his career
During his athletics career, Capes was crowned as UK shot put champion on three occasions.
He claimed gold at the 1984 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, achieving a event record throw of 20.74 metres.
Capes defended the title four years later in Edmonton, Canada.
Further success was achieved at continental level, winning gold at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg and Munich in 1984 and 1986, respectively.
He also claimed bronze in the European Championships in 1984 in Rome.
Capes represented Britain at three Olympic Games, finishing sixth at Montreal 1976 and fifth at Moscow 1980.
He achieved his personal best throw of 21.68m in 1980, which stood as a British record until 2003.
Capes became a professional strongman following the Olympics in Moscow, enjoying success at the Highland Games.
As well as winning the World’s Strongest Man title twice, Capes finished in the top three of the event a further four occasions.
He remained involved in athletics by becoming a coach of several national level shot putters.
Outside of sport, Capes became known for being one of Britain’s most established breeders of Budgerigars.
He became president of the British Budgerigar Society in 2008.
