Street Fighter 6 EVO 2024's \"Punk\" First American to Win in 20 Years

Victor "Punk" Woodley's historic win at EVO 2024's Street Fighter 6 tournament marks the end of a two-decade drought for American players in the mainline Street Fighter EVO championships. This article delves into the tournament and the significance of Woodley's triumph.

Historic Win at EVO 2024's Street Fighter 6 Finals

Victor "Punk" Woodley's Triumph

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2024, a three-day spectacle concluding July 21st, witnessed Victor "Punk" Woodley etch his name into fighting game history. This year's EVO featured competitions across multiple titles, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes, Mortal Kombat 1, and The King of Fighters XV. Woodley's victory in Street Fighter 6 is particularly momentous, breaking a more than 20-year streak without an American champion in the main Street Fighter EVO event.

The grand finals delivered a nail-biting showdown between Woodley and Anouche, who battled back from the loser's bracket. Anouche's 3-0 victory reset the bracket, forcing a second best-of-five set. The final match was a back-and-forth affair, culminating in a 2-2 tie before Woodley's decisive super move with Cammy secured the championship.

Woodley's Competitive Journey

Victor "Punk" Woodley's career is a testament to dedication and skill. He first gained recognition during the Street Fighter V era, dominating major tournaments like West Coast Warzone 6, NorCal Regionals, DreamHack Austin, and ELEAGUE—all before turning 18. Despite a setback in the EVO 2017 grand finals against Tokido, Woodley consistently performed at a high level, winning numerous major tournaments. While EVO and Capcom Cup titles remained elusive, his third-place finish at EVO 2023 showcased his continued growth. His EVO 2024 victory against Adel "Big Bird" Anouche is already considered legendary, marking a culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

A Global Showcase of Talent

EVO 2024 showcased exceptional talent from around the globe. The winners of the main events included:

⚫︎ Under Night In-Birth II: Senaru (Japan)
⚫︎ Tekken 8: Arslan Ash (Pakistan)
⚫︎ Street Fighter 6: Victor "Punk" Woodley (USA)
⚫︎ Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike: Joe "MOV" Egami (Japan)
⚫︎ Mortal Kombat 1: Dominique "SonicFox" McLean (USA)
⚫︎ Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising: Aaron "Aarondamac" Godinez (USA)
⚫︎ Guilty Gear -Strive-: Shamar "Nitro" Hinds (USA)
⚫︎ The King of Fighters XV: Xiao Hai (China)

These results highlight the truly international nature of competitive fighting games, with players from diverse backgrounds contributing to the excitement and prestige of EVO 2024.