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

Victor "Punk" Woodley's Historic Street Fighter 6 Victory at EVO 2024

Street Fighter 6 EVO 2024's

American esports player Victor "Punk" Woodley etched his name into fighting game history by winning the Street Fighter 6 tournament at EVO 2024. This victory marks a significant milestone, breaking a two-decade drought for American champions in the main Street Fighter EVO competition.

A Thrilling EVO 2024

The three-day EVO 2024, concluded on July 21st, showcased a diverse range of fighting games, including Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and Mortal Kombat 1. However, the Street Fighter 6 finals captivated audiences worldwide with an intense battle between Woodley and Adel "Big Bird" Anouche. Anouche, having fought his way through the losers' bracket, reset the bracket with a decisive 3-0 victory, forcing a second best-of-five set. The final match was a nail-biter, culminating in a final game tie-breaker that Woodley secured with a stunning Cammy super move.

Punk's Journey to Victory

Street Fighter 6 EVO 2024's

Woodley's competitive career is marked by remarkable achievements, starting with his early success in Street Fighter V. Before turning 18, he won several major tournaments, including West Coast Warzone 6 and DreamHack Austin. While he experienced setbacks, such as his loss to Tokido in the EVO 2017 grand finals, he consistently performed at a high level. His third-place finish at EVO 2023 paved the way for his triumphant victory at EVO 2024.

Global Excellence at EVO 2024

Street Fighter 6 EVO 2024's

EVO 2024 showcased exceptional talent from around the globe. The tournament highlighted the international nature of competitive fighting games, with champions hailing from various countries:

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)

Woodley's win not only secures his place in fighting game history but also underscores the ongoing evolution and global reach of the competitive scene.