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

Victor "Punk" Woodley's Triumphant Victory at EVO 2024: An American Champion After Two Decades

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2024 concluded on July 21st, marking a momentous occasion for American Street Fighter fans. Victor "Punk" Woodley secured a historic win in the Street Fighter 6 tournament, breaking a 20-year drought for American champions in the main Street Fighter EVO event. This victory at one of the world's most prestigious fighting game tournaments holds significant weight for the community.

Punk's Path to Victory

The three-day EVO 2024 featured a diverse range of fighting games, including Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and more. However, the Street Fighter 6 finals captivated audiences with an intense showdown between Woodley and Anouche, who battled back from the loser's bracket. Anouche's 3-0 victory forced a reset, setting the stage for a nail-biting best-of-five rematch. The final match saw a back-and-forth battle, culminating in a tiebreaker where Woodley's masterful Cammy super move secured the championship.

Woodley's Competitive Journey

Woodley's competitive gaming career is remarkable. He rose to prominence during Street Fighter V, winning major tournaments like West Coast Warzone 6 and DreamHack Austin before his 18th birthday. While he experienced setbacks, including a loss in the EVO 2017 grand finals, he consistently performed at a high level. His third-place finish at EVO 2023 set the stage for his triumphant return in 2024. His EVO 2024 grand finals match against Adel "Big Bird" Anouche is already considered legendary within the fighting game community.

A Global Showcase of Talent

EVO 2024 showcased exceptional talent from around the globe. The tournament winners included:

• 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)

This diverse range of winners underscores the international appeal and high level of competition at EVO. Woodley's victory is a significant achievement, not only for himself but for the entire American fighting game community.