Geoff Capes dead at 75: Legendary strongman and Britain’s finest shot putter passes away
GEOFF CAPES has sadly passed away at the age of 75.
The legendary strongman was considered Britain’s finest shot-putter during his career.
GettyGeoff Capes has passed away at the age of 75[/caption]
GettyCapes seen here lifting follow 80s star Linda Lusardi – a legendary Sun Page 3 girl[/caption]
XHe was pictured with Peter Shilton at a charity event in 2019[/caption]
GettyHe also bred budgies outside of sport[/caption]
Capes from Holbeach in Lincolnshire was adored by millions and became a household name in the Eighties and Nineties.
The 6ft 6ins star was also named the world’s strongest man on two different occasions.
His first victory came in the World’s Strongest Man event in 1983 in Christchurch, and the second was two years later in Cascais.
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.”
During his shot-putt career, he won gold medals in the European Indoor Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
Fans of Capes have flooded social media to pay tribute to the legend.
One posted: “RIP legendary strongman Geoff Capes.
A second wrote: “Another sporting hero from our youth leaves us. RIP Geoff Capes.”
A third commented: “Sad to hear of the death of Geoff Capes. He was a big part of my TV childhood. Thoughts are with his family and friends.”
GettyTributes have flooded in for the legend on social media[/caption]
AlamyHe also competed at two Olympic games[/caption]
He made an appearance on the The Sooty ShowYouTube
X / Formerly known as TwitterDuring an appearance on The Little And Large Show he starred as Bluto[/caption]
A fourth said: “So sad to hear the news that Geoff Capes passed away.”
He was also a three-time Olympian as he competed at the 1972 Munich games 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1980 games in Moscow.
In his debut games, he finished in 20th place.
He was one of the favourites for gold at both of his latter tournaments but finished sixth and fifth.
Capes also competed in the Highland Games in Scotland and won the World Heavy Events title in Lagos in 1981.
At the European Championships in Prague in 1978, he was sent home in disgrace.
He had punched a referee and two guards who were holding machine guns after they complained that he was not wearing the correct number for the competition.
After retiring, he went on to coach stars in both athletics and strength athletics.
He helped Adrian Smith take fifth spot in the World’s Strongest Man in 1990.
During the Eighties, he was a regular on TV screens in the country, appearing on entertainment shows such as Little and Large and the Kenny Everett Television Show.
His shot-put talent continued into his family as his daughter Emma was her school’s champion and a Youth Olympics bronze medalist.
His son, Lewis, has played American Football for the London Monarchs.
Outside of sport, he was a huge lover of budgies.
He was named the president of the Budgerigar Society in 2008.
He bred his own birds for over three decades and was overjoyed when he was bestowed with the honour.
Geoff Capes’ career medals
Strongman career:
1983 World’s Strongest Man
1985 World’s Strongest Man
1980 Europe’s Strongest Man
1982 Europe’s Strongest Man
1984 Europe’s Strongest Man
1987 World Strongman Challenge winner
1987 World Muscle Power Classic winner
Shotput career:
Gold – 1974 Commonwealth Games
Gold – 1978 Commonwealth Games
Gold – 1974 European Indoor Athletics Championship
Gold – 1976 European Indoor Athletics Championship
Silver – 1975 European Indoor Athletics Championship
Silver – 1977 European Indoor Athletics Championship
Silver – 1979 European Indoor Athletics Championship
Bronze – 1978 European Indoor Athletics Championship
Bronze – 1974 European Athletics Championship
