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

Victor "Punk" Woodley has etched his name in the annals of fighting game history by winning the Street Fighter 6 tournament at EVO 2024, marking the first American victory in a mainline Street Fighter title at this prestigious event in over two decades. This monumental achievement not only showcases Woodley's exceptional skill but also rekindles American pride in the competitive fighting game scene.

Triumph in the Finals

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2024, held from July 19 to July 21, was a three-day spectacle of top-tier fighting game action. The event featured tournaments in 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 Street Fighter 6 finals, Woodley faced off against Adel "Big Bird" Anouche, who had fought his way through the loser's bracket. Anouche initially dominated, resetting the bracket with a 3-0 victory over Woodley. However, in the decisive best-of-five rematch, both players were evenly matched, with the score tied at two sets each and 1-1 in the final game. It was Woodley's strategic use of Cammy's super move that ultimately secured his victory, ending the long drought for an American champion in this category.

Woodley's Journey to the Top

Victor "Punk" Woodley's path to this historic win has been nothing short of remarkable. Rising to fame during the Street Fighter V era, he clinched victories at major tournaments like West Coast Warzone 6, NorCal Regionals, DreamHack Austin, and ELEAGUE before turning 18. Despite a setback at EVO 2017, where he lost to Tokido in the grand finals, Woodley's determination never wavered. He continued to dominate in various tournaments, though the coveted titles at EVO and Capcom Cup remained just out of reach until now. His third-place finish at EVO 2023 set the stage for his triumphant return in 2024, where he finally claimed the championship against Anouche in a match now celebrated as one of the greatest in EVO history.

Global Talent on Display

EVO 2024 was a testament to the global appeal and competitive spirit of fighting games, with champions emerging from around the world:

• 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 underscore the diverse and international nature of the competition, highlighting the skill and dedication of players from various countries who contributed to the event's success.