“He was a ruffian,” states Storey, who compares Capes and athletics by using a youthful boxer from a troublesome neighbourhood in Detroit or The big apple who experienced sensed a route out.
His attitude in the direction of officialdom was equally imposing, notably when he was disqualified through the 1978 European Championships in Prague.
Noticing The person had numerous budgies in his property, The 2 began to discuss the maintenance and treatment of birds around a cup of tea. “It seemed a disgrace when, once the conversation ended, I out of the blue remembered what I needed to do,” Capes said.
The 6ft 5in legend turned his attentions from entertaining the nation bending metal bars and tearing phone directories in half after his athletics job finished following his exit within the 1980 Moscow Olympics, wherever he concluded fifth, to inspiring his son Lewis and daughter Emma to reach the shot by themselves.
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Whilst Capes didn’t medal in the Olympics, his shot place occupation recognized his standing like a intense competitor, paving how for his strongman pursuits.
It was a small cost to pay for an infinite provide of steak. There have been also bargains with the Glenryck pilchard business and an area milk producer.
Some would counsel that not Significantly has improved and Capes, who has repeatedly held the Formal British shot place record for fifty one years, stays an encyclopedic and avid university student on the Activity. “It’s somewhat thin, isn’t it?” he states, evaluating what would be the smallest Fantastic Britain squad at a Environment Athletics Championships given that 2005.
He mixed his education in Holbeach with lifting sacks of potatoes with a farm and was commonly in hassle with authority.
1987 Pure Toughness featured Bill Kazmaier, Jón Páll Sigmarsson and Geoff Capes[19] and was held at Huntly Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Capes entered Regardless of acquiring been in healthcare facility the prior weekend with strained trapeziums. Robust performances in the 1st couple rounds belied his problem but he at some point pulled out in the log-carry and finished The competition in 3rd position.
highlighted two or three 16-yr-aged throwers in its ‘spotlight on youth’ column get more info – Joe Bugner and Geoff Capes. When the promising teenage discus thrower Bugner went on to earn the British boxing title and fought Muhammad Ali for the planet crown, Capes became the long-time British record-holder in the shot place, environment’s strongest male winner and several Highland Online games champion.
What could have been a clumsy moment was saved by Geoff’s Light humour and attraction, features that endeared him to all who realized him. His later recognition With all the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 was a fitting tribute to his contributions both on and off the field.
An additional amusing Tale revolved about myself and two other athletes hiding all of the officials’ no cost Alcoholic beverages within the Munich Olympics, permitting us to have a good post-game titles occasion.
His everyday living story—from document-breaking shot putter to multi-time strongman winner and Highland Game titles learn—stands as being a remarkable example of dedication, resilience, and athletic versatility.