"Punk" Becomes First American to Win Street Fighter 6 at EVO 2024 in 20 Years

Victor "Punk" Woodley has achieved a historic victory in Street Fighter 6 at EVO 2024, ending a 20-year drought without an American champion in the series. Dive deeper into the details of this groundbreaking tournament and understand why this win holds such importance for fans and players alike.

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 clinching the Street Fighter 6 championship. EVO, known globally as one of the premier fighting game tournaments, spanned three exciting days this year, showcasing fierce competitions across 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 triumph is especially significant, marking the first time in over two decades that an American has won a mainline Street Fighter title at EVO.

The finals were a nail-biting showdown between Woodley and Adel "Big Bird" Anouche, who had battled back through the loser's bracket. Anouche initially reset the bracket with a stunning 3-0 victory over Woodley, setting the stage for a dramatic best-of-five rematch. The final match was a closely fought battle, with both players tied at two sets each and 1-1 in the deciding game. Woodley ultimately sealed his historic win with a decisive super move using Cammy, ending the long wait for an American victory in this prestigious category.

Woodley's E-Tournament Journey

Victor "Punk" Woodley's journey in the competitive gaming world has been nothing short of remarkable. His ascent began during the Street Fighter V era, where he amassed victories at major events like West Coast Warzone 6, NorCal Regionals, DreamHack Austin, and ELEAGUE, all before turning 18. However, his path wasn't without challenges; he faced a setback in the grand finals of EVO 2017, losing to Tokido.

Despite this, Woodley's determination and skill propelled him to further success, winning numerous tournaments in the following years. Although the coveted titles at EVO and Capcom Cup remained elusive, he secured a commendable third place at EVO 2023, narrowly defeated by Amjad "AngryBird" Al-Shalabi and Saul Leonardo "MenaRD" Mena II. At EVO 2024, Woodley's relentless pursuit culminated in a grand finals showdown against Adel "Big Bird" Anouche, a match now celebrated as one of the greatest in EVO history, with Woodley finally claiming the championship.

A Showcase of Global Talent

EVO 2024 was a testament to the global appeal and high level of competition in the fighting game community. The event featured standout performances across various titles, with the champions being:

• 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 exceptional talent present at EVO 2024, contributing to the event's resounding success and showcasing the vibrant global fighting game community.