British shot put record holder Geoff Capes dies aged 75

Geoff Capes, the former World’s Strongest Man and British shot put record holder, has passed away at 75. His family announced his death on October 23, recognizing him as Britain’s greatest shot-putter and a two-time World’s Strongest Man. Born in Lincolnshire in 1949, Capes rose from humble beginnings to become a celebrated figure in British sports during the 1970s and 1980s. He set a British shot put record of 21.68m in 1980, which remains unbroken. Despite his Olympic aspirations, Capes shifted his focus to strongman competitions, winning the World’s Strongest Man titles in 1983 and 1985. He also claimed six World Highland Games championships. After retiring, he coached successful shot put athletes and won a world title for breeding budgerigars. Capes’ children, Lewis and Emma, followed in his footsteps, becoming national shot put champions, and his grandchildren are continuing the family tradition. In his last interview, he spoke about applying strength with speed, a skill he mastered as a child on a farm.

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