Victor "Punk" Woodley's Historic Victory at EVO 2024

Victor "Punk" Woodley has etched his name into the annals of fighting game history by clinching the Street Fighter 6 title at EVO 2024, marking the first American victory in over two decades. This monumental achievement not only showcases Woodley's skill but also underscores the significance of this win for the American fighting game community.

Historic Win in Street Fighter 6 Finals at EVO 2024

Victor "Punk" Woodley Triumphs

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2024 concluded on July 21 with an electrifying finale. Victor "Punk" Woodley emerged as the champion of the Street Fighter 6 tournament, breaking a 20-year drought for American players in the mainline Street Fighter category at EVO. This prestigious event, spanning three days, featured competitions across multiple fighting games, 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.

In the gripping Street Fighter 6 finals, Woodley faced off against Adel "Big Bird" Anouche, who had advanced through the loser's bracket. Anouche initially dominated, resetting the bracket with a 3-0 victory over Woodley. However, in the ensuing best-of-five rematch, the competition was fierce, with both players showcasing exceptional skill. Tied at two sets each and 1-1 in the final game, Woodley's decisive super move with Cammy sealed his historic victory, ending the long wait for an American champion.

Woodley's E-Tournament Journey

Victor "Punk" Woodley's journey in competitive gaming is nothing short of remarkable. He first rose to prominence during the Street Fighter V era, securing victories at major events like West Coast Warzone 6, NorCal Regionals, DreamHack Austin, and ELEAGUE before turning 18. Despite a setback in the grand finals of EVO 2017 against Tokido, Woodley's resilience shone through in subsequent years as he continued to win major tournaments.

Although the EVO and Capcom Cup titles remained elusive, Woodley achieved a commendable third place at EVO 2023, narrowly losing to Amjad "AngryBird" Al-Shalabi and Saul Leonardo "MenaRD" Mena II. His perseverance paid off at EVO 2024, where he faced Adel "Big Bird" Anouche in a match now considered one of the greatest in EVO history, ultimately securing the championship he had long sought.

A Showcase of Global Talent

EVO 2024 was a testament to the global appeal and talent in the fighting game community. 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 diverse and international nature of the competition, showcasing the skill and dedication of players from around the world. Victor "Punk" Woodley's victory not only marks a personal triumph but also a significant moment for American players in the global fighting game arena.