Championship star’s heartbreaking tribute to brother killed in kickboxing struggle
Cardiff City midfielder Andy Rinomhota paid a heartbreaking tribute to his brother Joe, who died moments after a kickboxing fight in Thailand
Cardiff City star Andy Rinomhota has paid tribute to his brother who tragically died following a kickboxing fight in Thailand.
Joe Rinomhota, 30, died after reportedly collapsing after making his Muay Thai debut at the Samui International Muay Thai Stadium in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province on Friday night.
According to Khaosod English, the fight was stopped in the third round after he was kicked by his opponent in the right side of his rib cage, seeing the official stepping in at around 9.30pm.
After the referee had concluded the bout, Rinomhota reportedly left the ring on his own, but began to experience laboured breathing before he collapsed. His coach is said to have attempted CPR at the scene while waiting for the emergency services.
He was rushed to the nearby Thai International Hospital but was pronounced dead at around 11pm.
In a touching tribute posted on his Instagram page on Monday, the Cardiff star posted a series of pictures, including one of his brother in front of a promotional poster for the fight.
The 27-year-old wrote: “Nothing could’ve prepared me for what’s happened and no words or pictures are going to be enough to show or express the love I have and will always have for you my brother.
“I’m hoping this will help to heal the pain even if only slightly. You were the most driven and positive minded person I know, always pushing for more and never settling for the minimum, always looking for that next thing to try and achieve.
“You lived life to the fullest and I know you’d have no regrets even now.
“As a brother they don’t come better than you, caring, kind, supportive, the list is endless, you always looked after me in every way possible and I should’ve told you more just how much that meant to me. ‘Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday’ I know you’ll continue to watch over me and provide me with the strength and love you always have.
“You’ll be with me doing the things we had planned to do together, you will always be in my heart and never forgotten.”
An autopsy was reportedly carried out at Koh Samui Hospital and Thai Police are investigating the death.
The Daily Star approached the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for comment. A FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand.”
