Geoff Capes, shot put, strongman and Highland Games legend, dies aged 75 - AW

The legendary British athlete participated in three Olympic Games and became a well-known figure during the 1970s and 1980s thanks to his achievements in track and field as well as the strongman competitions.

In May 1966, AW highlighted two 16-year-old athletes in its 'youth spotlight' segment: Joe Bugner and Geoff Capes. Bugner, who showed great potential as a discus thrower, went on to capture the British boxing title and had a notable match against Muhammad Ali for the world championship. Meanwhile, Capes became the long-standing British record holder for shot put, won the title of the world's strongest man, and was a champion in several Highland Games events.

Capes, who passed away this week at the age of 75, had an impressive career in throws, securing two European indoor shot put championships and winning two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. He also represented his country in three Olympic Games.

Overall, he raised the British record from 19.56m to 21.68m, maintaining that record from 1972 until 2003, and proudly represented Britain an impressive 67 times. During his peak popularity, the shot put area at Crystal Palace was relocated to the middle of the main straight, ensuring he was the focus of attention. A true legend in the world of athletics, he frequently began competitions still wearing his tracksuit, only shedding it in the fourth or fifth round when he was ready to get serious.

Geoff Capes (played by Mark Shearman)

Incredibly, Capes was the youngest of five brothers and, during his youth, he managed to run a mile in 4:48 and participated in cross-country events. His talent for running stayed with him even while he was focused on throwing. Long before the famous sprint races between Mondo Duplantis and Karsten Warholm, he actually defeated Brendan Foster twice in exhibition 200m races, first in Gateshead and then in Spalding.

Capes' journey as an athlete took a significant turn when he encountered the international sprint hurdler Stuart Storey. Initially a bit of a troublemaker, Capes committed himself to training under Storey’s guidance and started breaking age group records starting at 16. Their friendship lasted a lifetime, and it was Storey who, with great sadness, informed Athletics Weekly about Capes’ passing.

Geoff Capes, portrayed by Mark Shearman

In classic Rocky Balboa fashion, Capes developed his lifting skills in the gym while helping his father on the family farm in the Lincolnshire fens, alongside his eight siblings. He later balanced a career in law enforcement with his achievements in athletics and strongman competitions.

Throughout his extensive career, the highlight of 1974 was when he clinched both the European indoor and Commonwealth championships, establishing himself as a top-tier thrower on the global stage. Nevertheless, his greatest throw occurred in 1980, measuring 21.68 meters in Cwmbran. He aimed for a medal at the Moscow Olympics that same year, but a back injury derailed his aspirations, and he ultimately finished in fifth place.

He once shared with AW: “I believe I could be the only athlete to have received numerous accolades in athletics and to be a world champion in three distinct sports, yet have never been honored with an MBE. I’m convinced it's because I opposed Margaret Thatcher back in 1980 to allow athletes to participate in Moscow, which ultimately cost me my career in the police force.”

Geoff Capes and Stuart Storey at the England Awards (Mark Shearman)

Beyond his achievements in athletics, he was a six-time champion of the Highland Games and clinched the title of World’s Strongest Man in both 1983 and 1985.

Surprisingly, despite his large stature, he transitioned into a successful budgerigar breeder after retiring from sports, living near Grantham. His enthusiasm for breeding these little birds led him to become the president of the budgerigar society and earn the title of world champion in show competitions.

He contributed significantly to the sport by coaching numerous athletes, including Rebecca Peake, Rachel Wallader, and Sophie McKinna, among others. Together with his assistant and protégé, Paul Wilson, he established the Lincolnshire Throws Academy for shot put and discus in Holbeach. His guidance also helped Scott Lincoln achieve the status of Olympian and British No. 1 in shot put.

Geoff Capes alongside a few of his athletes (Mark Shearman)

Capes' family has produced several outstanding throwers over the years. His children, Lewis and Emma, both made it to the international stage, while his grandson Lawson Capes has recently clinched national titles in his age group, making him the fifth family member to compete for their country in this sport. Additionally, Lawson's older brother, Donovan, has achieved success by winning a title at the English Schools competition.

“I wrapped up my career with the knowledge that I had achieved the top spot in three different sports. This highlights how crucial it is to establish goals early on in any athletic journey,” Capes stated. “I refused to settle for anything less than the best, and this mindset allowed me to explore the globe, connect with numerous people, and compete against the greatest athletes.”

Geoff Capes and his everyday meals (Mark Shearman)

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