Geoff Capes: Athlete and strongman was ‘a giant of heart and mind’

Tributes have poured in for “giant of heart and mind” Geoff Capes, the record-breaking British shot putter and two-time World’s Strongest Man champion, who has died aged 75.

The former policeman was a two-time Commonwealth Games champion and represented Britain at the Olympics three times, but is perhaps best known for his success in the World’s Strongest Man competition, winning the title in 1983 and 1985.

The death of the six foot five and a half inch tall Lincolnshire strongman was confirmed by British Athletics via a statement posted to its X account on Wednesday evening.

It read: “British athletics is saddened to hear the news of the death of former British shot putter Geoff Capes.

“Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”

A statement from Capes’ family said: “The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, October 23.

“Britain’s best shot putter and twice the world’s strongest man.”

In addition to his two victories, 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 learn 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 strong.

Retired British strongman Eddie “The Beast” Hall, who won the title in 2017, shared a photo of the pair on Instagram with the caption: “One of the true legends of strength – Geoff Capes is sadly died today.

“Not only was Geoff a two-time world’s strongest man and a record-breaking shot putter, he was also a giant of heart and mind. He paved the way for athletes like me, showing that British courage and determination could conquer the world.

“Geoff was an inspiration to many of us growing up, a man whose incredible achievements and character left a lasting mark on the force community. His legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of strongmen and athletes around the world.

“Don’t worry, big guy. You will always be remembered as one of the greatest.

Capes was born in 1949 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, the seventh of nine children, and as a youngster he became a member of Holbeach Athletic Club, where he was coached by Olympic hurdler Stuart Storey and represented his county at the basketball, football and cross country. .

He worked as a coal miner and farm laborer after school, his official biography on the Geoff Capes Foundation saying he gained a reputation for “being able to load 20 tonnes of potatoes in 20 minutes” before joining Cambridgeshire Police in 1970, where he served for a decade.

Capes’ first Commonwealth title came in Christchurch in 1974, a gold he defended four years later in Edmonton.

He also enjoyed great success at the European Indoor Championships throughout the 1970s, winning two gold medals in the shot put, three silvers and a bronze to go along with an outdoor bronze in 1974 .

He represented Great Britain at the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics, achieving his best result of fifth at his final Games in Moscow, where he finished his career as an amateur athlete and turned professional.

In May that year he set the British record with a throw of 21.68m in Wales, which remains the best ratified effort by a Briton, and seven years later he placed first at the World Strongman Challenge.

Capes went on to coach many young athletes and for a time mentored the England Athletics shot put team.

Controversy erupted briefly in 2010 when two of its athletes were provisionally suspended from competition after being charged by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) following their alleged refusal to submit to drug tests.

Capes has reportedly been relieved of his mentoring role with England Athletics, but a UK Athletics spokesperson told Inside the Games that his organization has no plans to take action against the coach.

Capes was also a successful Highland Games athlete, setting records in several disciplines.

An animal lover since his youth, Capes was a renowned parakeet breeder, serving for a time as president of the Budgerigar Society.

British Olympic 400 meters bronze medalist Katharine Merry, in an article on

“Gold medalist in the shot put and the strongest man in the world on more than one occasion.

“A real household name. Memories of Geoff Capes come flooding back… a breeder of world champion parakeets. Why Geoff? He told me they were relaxing. Big strong men and their little friends.

Frank Bruno, former WBC British heavyweight champion, wrote on

“I refused, he wanted to arm wrestle with me, but I introduced him to my friend Gary Mason who loved arm wrestling and I let them do it!!”