Cardiff City star’s Andy Rinomhota brother killed at 30 in Thai boxing match

Cardiff City midfielder Andy Rinomhota is grieving the sudden loss of his brother, Joe Rinomhota, who passed away at age 30 following his debut Muay Thai fight in Koh Samui, Thailand.

The tragic incident occurred on Friday night at the Samui International Muay Thai Stadium, where Joe collapsed after the bout and could not be revived despite emergency efforts.

According to Thai outlet Khaosod English, the fight was halted in the third round around 9:30 PM after Joe sustained a kick to his ribs. He initially walked out of the ring but soon struggled to breathe before collapsing. His coach performed CPR while awaiting medical teams, but Joe was pronounced dead at 11:00 PM. Local authorities, including Superintendent Col. Den Duang Thongsrisuk of Bo Phut, confirmed the tragedy and launched an investigation.

Andy Rinomhota shared an emotional tribute on Instagram Monday, posting photos of Joe alongside a promotional fight poster. “Nothing could’ve prepared me for this,” he wrote. “You were the most driven, positive person I knew—always pushing for more. You lived fully, with no regrets.”

He praised Joe’s unwavering support: “As a brother, they don’t come better. You always looked after me in every way. I should’ve told you how much that meant.” Andy vowed to carry Joe’s memory forward, quoting, “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”

The football community and fans have rallied around Andy, offering condolences during this heartbreaking time.