American Captures EVO Crown: "Punk" Triumphs in Street Fighter 6

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

American Victor "Punk" Woodley etched his name into fighting game history by winning the Street Fighter 6 tournament at EVO 2024, ending a two-decade drought for American champions in the main Street Fighter EVO event. This win at one of the world's most prestigious fighting game competitions is a significant achievement for the American fighting game community.

The three-day EVO 2024 showcased a diverse range of fighting games, including Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and Mortal Kombat 1. The Street Fighter 6 grand finals saw a thrilling match between Woodley and Anouche, who battled back from the losers' bracket. Anouche's 3-0 victory forced a reset, culminating in a nail-biting final set. Woodley ultimately secured the championship with a decisive Cammy super move.

Woodley's Path to Victory

Woodley's competitive gaming career began during the Street Fighter V era, where he achieved notable success before his 18th birthday. He won numerous major tournaments, including West Coast Warzone 6 and DreamHack Austin. While he experienced setbacks, like his EVO 2017 loss to Tokido, he consistently performed at a high level. His third-place finish at EVO 2023 set the stage for his triumphant 2024 performance.

A Global Showcase of Skill

EVO 2024 highlighted the global talent pool within the fighting game community. The diverse roster of 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)

Woodley's victory not only marks a personal triumph but also underscores the ongoing evolution and global reach of the competitive fighting game scene.