Cardiff City star Andy Rinomhota has paid a heartbreaking tribute to sibling Joseph Itai Rinomhota, who passed away having been kicked in the ribs during his first-ever Muay Thai bout in Thailand.
Joseph Itai, 30, was struck during the third round of his fight on Friday night and managed to leave the ring and unwrap his gloves. But local media said he soon collapsed and despite receiving medical attention it was later confirmed that he had not survived.
An autopsy was reportedly carried out at Koh Samui Hospital to determine the cause of death and Thai police, based at Bo Phut Police Station, are also said to be investigating.
And Bluebirds player Rinomhota, 27, has now 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.”
In a statement on their X account, Cardiff said: “Our thoughts and love go out to Andy Rinomhota and his family. We are all with you, Andy.”
Muay Thai is a popular form of kickboxing which involves using the arms, shins, fists and feet to beat your opponent. It was invented in Thailand and has now spread all over the world.
Muay Thai, which translates as Thai boxing and ‘the art of eight limbs’, is the national sport of Thailand. It was first developed hundreds of years ago and was incorporated into military training by King Naresuan in 1560.
In recent years, Thailand has seen an upsurge in tourists visiting the country to learn the combat sport. Resorts specialising in Muay Thai have sprung up to cater for the demand.
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