Capes could see no upcoming as an newbie and, whilst persuaded that he would even now have challenged for the shot set medal in 1984, a brand new career combining the planet Highland Games Using the more and more preferred and valuable strongman circuit beckoned.
Geoff Capes was born on August 23, 1949, in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, England. He began his athletic occupation for a shot putter, demonstrating pure talent from a young age that set the stage for just a profession marked by resilience and electrical power.
His involvement assisted present platforms for emerging talents, thus contributing towards the sport’s progress at numerous ranges.
The 6ft 5in legend turned his attentions from entertaining the nation bending metal bars and tearing mobile phone directories in fifty percent just after his athletics occupation finished adhering to his exit in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, wherever he concluded fifth, to inspiring his son Lewis and daughter Emma to succeed in the shot them selves.
"On behalf of all at England Athletics, we would want to share our deepest condolences with all of Geoff's relatives, good friends and supporters, of which there have been numerous all over the world. His effect on not simply the throwing environment but the broader observe and field family members was astounding, and his existence is going to be considerably missed.
In spite of getting small in the best way of approach, as well as competing in bare feet on occasion mainly because he could not afford sneakers, Capes started throwing the shot at county level, hitchhiking his way to functions.
“We're saddened to hear from the passing of 1 of the greatest toughness athletes of all time, Geoff Capes,” read the official assertion. “The British strongman legend received Entire world’s Strongest Guy titles in 1983 and 1985.
Right after producing his foray into public service as a policeman, Capes kept himself thoroughly involved with athletics. His commitment never waned as he coupled very long operate hrs with intense coaching regimes.
The Independent is trustworthy by Individuals throughout the total political spectrum. And in contrast to all kinds of other high-quality information outlets, we choose not to lock Individuals from our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We think high quality journalism needs to be available to Absolutely everyone, compensated for by those that can manage it.
From The instant he stepped in to the strongman circuit, he confirmed glimpses of greatness. When many athletes get years to problem them selves for the rigors of strongman activities, he tailored with amazing relieve.
Capes retired from Experienced Activity in 1994 aged forty five. From then on he click here turned his consideration to small business, Performing being a director of his individual gymnasium and then a stability corporation and showing as an following-dinner speaker. He was also involved with national charity get the job done.
He went from solidifying a name while in the shot place to rapidly turning into one of the strongmen to view. Several could match the velocity of his rise in the Activity. The stepping stones that his athletic job experienced laid now supported the load of the gaze set on Strongman’s glory.
His double victory about Foster is perhaps fewer stunning thinking about his ability to run one hundred metres having a 400lb fridge on his back again in his Strongman times!
But more substantial competitions appeared over and above his attain – he managed only bronze at the 1974 European Championships. And he was controversially banned within the 1978 European Championships for failing to Display screen the proper figures on his shirt.