‘Nothing could have prepared me’ – Cardiff City star heartbroken after brother, 30, dies in first Muay Thai fight
A CARDIFF CITY star paid tribute to his brother who sadly died.
Andy Rinomhota’s sibling Joseph Itai Rinomhota, 30, passed away after taking a kick to the ribs in his first-ever Muay Thai match in Thailand.
Rinomhota, 27, shared a heartbreaking Instagram post paying tribute to his older brother.
He 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.
“Rest in peace Joe.”
Andy also shared a collection of photos of his brother throughout the years – including as young children, on holidays, doing activities like indoor skydiving and a selfie sent from Thailand before the fateful events.
The final image is a screenshot of Andy’s text to Joseph before he stepped in the ring.
It read: “Not sure what time fight is but good luck again! Know you’ll smash it my guy.”
Joseph was competing in the Samui International Muay Thai Stadium on the popular tourist island of Koh Samu on Friday.
The fight, which kicked off at 9.30pm local time, was stopped by the referee in the third round after the Brit was reportedly kicked in the right side of his rib cage, local outlet Khaosod English reported.
He managed to leave the ring and took off his gloves, but suddenly became unwell while unwrapping his hand bandages.
Witnesses said he began experiencing muscle tension, struggled to breathe, and his eyes began rolling.
Though still conscious, he collapsed shortly afterwards, with his heart said to have stopped.
The Brit’s trainer desperately performed CPR until emergency services rushed him to Thai International Hospital, less than two miles from the venue.
But despite medics’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11pm local time.
Zimbabwe international midfielder Rinomhota joined Cardiff in 2022 having come through at AFC Portchester.
The Leeds-born star signed for Reading in 2015 and came through to make 139 first-team appearances before the switch to South Wales.