Geoff Capes: World’s strongest man and British shot put record holder Capes dies aged 75

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 with a distance of 21.68m in 1980.

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.”

Capes had an illustrious 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.

Capes, who was born in Lincolnshire, was also a six-time world champion competitor at the Highland Games.

His victories in the prestigious world’s strongest man event came in 1983 in Christchurch, New Zealand and 1985 in Cascais, Portugal.

Following his retirement from competition Capes took up coaching and helped many aspiring athletes, as well as appearing on two reality television shows.