Last month it was reported by Karim Zidan over at Bloody Elbow that Valdet Gashi, a German and World Muay Thai champion, went to Syria in order to join the Islamic State (ISIS).
“I want to do something good and to die while doing it. That is what would make me happy,” said the 29-year-old in an interview with the SRF journalists.
Now, according the ndtv.com, Gashi has been reported dead by Swiss TV.
“Former world champion kickboxer who left his home and family in Germany to join up with Middle East jihadists has died in Syria, Swiss television reported on Monday, citing his brother. Valdet Gashi died last Saturday under circumstances that remain unclear, SRF, the Swiss public broadcaster, said,” according to ndtv.com.
According to Bloody Elbow, Gashi leaves behind him a wife and kids. When the news broke that he had joined up with ISIS his family criticised his decision as “nonsense” and that his “place is with us – with his children, his wife and his parents.”
He had also recently set up an MMA gym in Switzerland for devout Muslims and actually banned women, music and swearing during training session, according to BE.