Strongman and shot put record holder Geoff Capes dies aged 75

Geoff Capes still holds the British shot put record, which he set in 1980

Geoff Capes of Great Britain prepares to throw during the Shot Putt event at the 1980 United Kingdom Championships in England(Image: Tony Duffy)

Geoff Capes British shot put record holder and two-time world’s strongest man has died aged 75. Capes set the record for the furthest shot put throw by a British man in 1980 with a distance of 21.68m, which he holds to this day.

In a statement, Capes’ family 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.”

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Capes had a distinguished career, twice winning shot put gold at the Commonwealth Games and the European Indoor Championships. He was a three-time Olympian and came closest to winning a medal with a fifth-place finish at the 1980 Games in Moscow.

Following his retirement he went on to coach stars in both athletics and strength athletics. Adrian Smith was among those he helped – he took fifth spot in the World’s Strongest Man in 1990.

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Capes was one of nine children and went on to become one of the most famous faces in Britain during the 1970s and 1980s. In shot put, he set a national record of 21.68m in 1980 which still stands to this day. Despite being among the favourites when competing he was never able to deliver an Olympic medal.

Geoff Capes former shot putter has died aged 75(Image: Handout)

He later turned his focus to the world of strongman. Capes finished in the top three on six separate occasions, peaking with victory in 1983 and 1985.

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His children, Lewis and Emma, were also national shot put champions and the family tradition is currently being continued by grandchildren Donovan and Lawson.