Victor "Punk" Woodley's victory at EVO 2024 in Street Fighter 6 marks a historic moment, as he became the first American to claim the title in over two decades. This triumph not only highlights Woodley's skill but also underscores the significance of the event for fans and followers of the Street Fighter series.
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 Victor "Punk" Woodley etching his name in history by winning the Street Fighter 6 tournament. EVO, recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious fighting game tournaments globally, hosted a three-day event featuring competitions 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. Woodley's victory in Street Fighter 6 stands out as it ends a 20-year drought since an American last won a mainline Street Fighter title at EVO.
The finals were a nail-biting showdown between Woodley and Adel "Big Bird" Anouche, who had fought his way through the loser's bracket. Anouche managed to reset the bracket with a decisive 3-0 win over Woodley, setting the stage for an intense best-of-five rematch. The final match was a closely contested battle, with both players tied at two set wins each and 1-1 in the final game. Woodley ultimately secured the championship with a decisive super move using Cammy, breaking the long-standing wait for an American victory in this category.
Woodley's E-Tournament Journey
Victor "Punk" Woodley's journey in the competitive gaming scene has been nothing short of remarkable. He first rose to prominence during the Street Fighter V era, clinching victories at major events like West Coast Warzone 6, NorCal Regionals, DreamHack Austin, and ELEAGUE, all before reaching the age of 18. Despite these early successes, Woodley faced a significant setback when he lost to Tokido in the grand finals of EVO 2017.
In the years that followed, Woodley continued to excel, winning various major tournaments, although the coveted titles at EVO and Capcom Cup remained just out of reach. At EVO 2023, he secured a commendable third place, narrowly defeated by Amjad "AngryBird" Al-Shalabi and Saul Leonardo "MenaRD" Mena II. At EVO 2024, Woodley once again reached the grand finals, this time facing off against Adel "Big Bird" Anouche. Their match is already celebrated as one of the greatest in EVO history, culminating in Woodley's long-awaited championship win.
A Showcase of Global Talent
EVO 2024 showcased exceptional performances across a diverse range of fighting games. The winners of the main events were:
- 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 international diversity and high level of competition at EVO 2024, with players from around the world showcasing their skills and contributing to the event's success.
