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

American Victor "Punk" Woodley etched his name into fighting game history at EVO 2024, securing the Street Fighter 6 championship. This win marks a significant milestone, ending a two-decade drought for American champions in the main Street Fighter EVO tournament.

The Thrilling Finals

The EVO 2024 finals, a three-day spectacle showcasing various fighting games, culminated in a nail-biting showdown between Woodley and Anouche. Anouche, having battled through the loser's bracket, reset the bracket with a dominant 3-0 victory. The ensuing best-of-five rematch was a rollercoaster, with both players tied 2-2 before Woodley's decisive Cammy super move sealed the championship.

Woodley's Journey to Victory

Woodley's competitive gaming career began during the Street Fighter V era, where he achieved remarkable success before his 18th birthday. Victories at West Coast Warzone 6, NorCal Regionals, DreamHack Austin, and ELEAGUE solidified his reputation. While he experienced a setback in the EVO 2017 grand finals against Tokido, he remained a formidable competitor, consistently placing highly in major tournaments. His third-place finish at EVO 2023 paved the way for his triumphant EVO 2024 run.

A Global Showcase of Talent

EVO 2024 showcased exceptional talent from around the globe. The diverse winners highlight the international appeal of competitive fighting games:

• 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 underscores the continued growth and global reach of the competitive fighting game scene.