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

Victor "Punk" Woodley etched his name into fighting game history at EVO 2024, securing a momentous Street Fighter 6 championship victory. This win marks a significant milestone, breaking a two-decade-long drought for American champions in the main Street Fighter EVO tournament. The three-day EVO 2024, held July 21st, featured a diverse roster of fighting games, including Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and Mortal Kombat 1, but Woodley's triumph in Street Fighter 6 dominated headlines.

The grand finals delivered a nail-biting showdown between Woodley and Adel "Big Bird" Anouche. Anouche, emerging from the loser's bracket, initially reset the bracket with a decisive 3-0 victory. However, Woodley rallied, pushing the match to a thrilling best-of-five rematch. The final set saw a tense back-and-forth, culminating in a tie at 2-2 before Woodley's masterful Cammy super move sealed the championship, ending the long-awaited American victory.

Woodley's Journey to EVO Glory

Woodley's competitive gaming career boasts impressive achievements. He initially gained recognition during the Street Fighter V era, claiming titles at prominent tournaments like West Coast Warzone 6 and DreamHack Austin before his 18th birthday. While he experienced a setback in the EVO 2017 grand finals against Tokido, he consistently performed at a high level, consistently placing well in major competitions. His third-place finish at EVO 2023 foreshadowed his eventual triumph. The EVO 2024 finals against Anouche is already considered legendary among fighting game fans.

A Global Showcase of Skill

EVO 2024 showcased exceptional talent from around the globe. The tournament highlighted the international reach of competitive fighting games, with champions hailing from diverse 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 victory not only secures his place in fighting game history but also serves as a testament to the growing global competitiveness and skill within the community.