Geoff Capes: The athlete and strongman was ‘giant in heart and mind’

Tributes have poured in for ‘Giant in Heart and Spirit’ Geoff Capes, the 75-year-old British record-breaking shot putter and two-time world’s strongest champion.

The former police officer was a two-time Commonwealth Games champion and represented Great 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 six-and-a-half foot Lincolnshire strongman was confirmed by British Athletics via a statement posted to their X account on Wednesday evening.

It read: “British athletics is saddened to hear the news of former British shooting putter, Geoff Capes’ passing.

“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 and World’s Strongest Man Twice.”

In addition to his two victories, Capes has finished on the podium four times in the world’s strongest man competition.

SBD World Official’s strongest 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 alongside the caption: “One of the true legends of strength – Geoff Capes 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 of heart and mind. He paved the way for athletes like me, showing that British grit and determination could take on 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 force community. His legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of strongmen and athletes around the world.

“Keep it easy, big man. You will always be remembered as one of the best.

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

He worked as a coal 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 Constabulary 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, claiming two golds, three silvers and a bronze to go with an outdoor bronze in 1974.

He represented Great Britain at the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics, reaching his best result of fifth in his final matches in Moscow, where he ended his career as an amateur athlete and is became a professional.

This may set the British record with a throw of 21.68 million in Wales, which remains the best ratified effort by a British man, and seven years later placed first in the World Strongman Challenge.

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

Controversy came calling briefly in 2010 when two of its athletes were provisionally suspended from competition after being charged by a British anti-doping agency (UKAD) following their alleged refusal to take drugs tests.

According to reports, Capes was relieved of his mentoring role with England in England, but a UK spokesperson said inside the Games that their organization did not plan 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 Budgerigar whore breeder, serving a spell as president of the Budgerigar Society.

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

“A 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 return…a breeder of world champion Budgegars. Why Geoff? He told me they were relaxing. Big, strong men and their little friends.

Former WBC British heavyweight champion Frank Bruno wrote on

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