Anke Van Gestel (born 19 August 1993) is a Belgian kickboxer, who has been professionally competing since 2010. She is the current ISKA World Super Lightweight K1 and Light Welterweight Oriental Rules champion,[4] and the former Enfusion 61 and 64 kg Champion.[5]
In June 2020, Combat Press ranked her as #8 female fighter in the world.[6]
Martial arts career
Anke Van Gestel had her first kickboxing bout against Griet Eeckhout in November of 2010. She won the fight by unanimous decision to become the Belgian kickboxing champion.[7]
In the following two years Van Gestel amassed an 8-1-2 record, with a notable win over Hatice Ozyurt. She then entered the Amazon of K-1 Grand Prix, but lost to Martina Jindrová in the first round.[8]
After a win over Eva Berben, Van Gestel faced Ilona Wijmans for the inaugural Enfusion 61 kg title. She won the fight and title by unanimous decision.[9]
Following her Enfusion title win, she fought Angélique Pitiot for the ISKA Super Lightweight World Championship. Pitiot would win a unanimous decision.[10]
Van Gestel then challenged Sarah Debaieb and won the WFCS 61 kg title.[11]
In 2014, a year after winning the Enfusion 61 kg title, she defended it with a unanimous decision win over Lindsay Haycraft.
This title defense was followed by a three fight losing streak, culminating with a failed bid to capture the WKU Lightweight title.[12]
In 2015, Van Gestel once again defended her title with a unanimous decision win over Aleide Lawant.[13] Her third and last title defense came against Niamh Kinehan during Enfusion 48.[14]
In November of 2017 Van Gestel challenged Deniz Batlini for the ISKA Super Lightweight title, and captured it with a unanimous decision win.[15]
The following year she challenged Cindy Perros for the light welterweight ISKA World title, but lost a decision. In her following fight she once against faced Cindy Perros, but this time Van Gestel was defending her super lightweight title. She managed to win by a unanimous decision.[16]
Championships and accomplishments
Kickboxing Titles
Enfusion
Enfusion 61 kg Championship
Two successful title defenses
Enfusion 64 kg Championship
One successful title defense
First Enfusion two weight champion
One of only four Enfusion two weight champions
International Sport Karate Association
ISKA Super Lightweight K1 World Championship
One successful title defense
ISKA Light Welterweight Oriental Rules World Championship
