The air in LÖSANTE Hospital in Ankara once hung heavy with the scent of antiseptics and the quiet hum of medical equipment. For four-year-old Kevser Banlı, it was the battleground where she fought acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Now, at 13, the scent has changed to the sharp tang of sweat and the roar of a crowd, as Kevser, a beacon of resilience, stands as a world champion in kickboxing.
A Childhood Defined by Sickness and Strength
Kevser’s journey began in Batman, where at the tender age of four, persistent fatigue and high fever led to a devastating diagnosis. Her family brought her to LÖSANTE Hospital in Ankara, where she endured two grueling years of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. She emerged victorious, beating the ‘leukemia monster,’ as her doctor would later describe it.
But Kevser’s fighting spirit didn’t end with her recovery. A year after being discharged, she expressed a desire to take up sports. “There was a sports hall near our house,” she recalls, her eyes sparkling with determination. “My friends, those my age, were going there. I was very curious about it. I went with my father, and of course, I eagerly joined. But I didn’t know that such victories would come.”
From Hospital Beds to Championship Rings
At seven, Kevser began her journey into martial arts, starting with Muay Thai. Over the next six years, she honed her skills across various combat sports, including kickboxing and wushu kung-fu. Her dedication yielded a string of impressive victories:
- February 4-12, 2025: Turkish Champion in wushu kung-fu sanda (senior age, 50 kg women’s category) in Yalova.
- January 20, 2026: Provincial Champion in boxing (senior age, 50 kg women’s category) in Batman.
- March 9-15, 2026: Turkish Champion in kickboxing (senior age, 50 kg women’s category) in Diyarbakır.
- May 13-17, 2026: World Champion in kickboxing (50 kg women’s category) at the Turkey Open Kickboxing World Cup in Antalya, competing against athletes from 45 countries.
Each victory was a testament to her unwavering spirit, a punch thrown back at the illness that had once threatened to consume her. After securing her world title, Kevser, proudly carrying the LÖSEV flag, returned to LÖSANTE Hospital to visit her doctors, including LÖSEV founder Dr. Üstün Özer and Chief Physician Dr. Mehmet Öztürk.
“I Beat Them Just Like I Beat Leukemia”
During her visit, Kevser shared her triumph with those who had saved her life. “I had very tough opponents from 45 countries in the match,” she recounted. “I beat them just like I beat leukemia.” Her words resonated deeply with her medical team, who had witnessed her struggle and now celebrated her extraordinary success.
Kevser emphasized the crucial role LÖSEV played in her recovery and subsequent achievements. “My biggest supporters were always my doctors and nurses,” she said. “But the biggest supporter of all was LÖSEV. I wanted to do this match for them, for my friends, for my doctors. I wanted them to be proud and not lose hope, to see what kind of fighters they had raised.”
A Symbol of Hope: The “LÖSEV Girl”
Stepping into the ring with the LÖSEV flag was a moment of immense pride for Kevser. “It was very honorable, very proud,” she stated. “They didn’t even know my name there. They called me ‘LÖSEV girl.’ I was very happy. These things inspired me.”
Her greatest victory, she asserts, was overcoming leukemia. “I fought, I struggled, I put in effort,” she said. “As a healed young person, I entered this match to give hope and inspiration to my friends.” Kevser’s ambition now extends beyond personal glory; she dreams of becoming a national athlete and, eventually, a coach at LÖSEV, inspiring other young leukemia patients. “Hope is a light that burns within, even in the darkest moments,” she reflected. “I nurtured that light, and today I turned it into a world championship.”
A Doctor’s Pride: “Unmeasurable”
Dr. Mehmet Öztürk, Chief Physician of LÖSANTE Children and Adult Hospital and Kevser’s former doctor, expressed immense pride in her accomplishments. “Then I saw her on social media, having defeated the leukemia monster, winning medals,” he shared. “The pride I felt is immeasurable. I was very happy, very proud.”
Dr. Öztürk highlighted the hospital’s emphasis on physical activity for children undergoing treatment, explaining that some medications can cause muscle wasting. “To prevent that muscle wasting, we encourage children to do sports and move here, and we direct them to sports,” he explained. Kevser’s success stands as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of this holistic approach to recovery and the indomitable spirit of a young girl who refused to be defined by her illness.
Kevser Banlı’s story is more than just a tale of athletic achievement; it is a profound narrative of courage, perseverance, and the unwavering power of hope. From the sterile environment of a hospital room to the dazzling lights of a world championship arena, she has proven that even after the toughest battles, one can emerge not just victorious, but truly extraordinary.
