Punk Triumphs: First American EVO Champion in 20 Years

Victor "Punk" Woodley's historic Street Fighter 6 victory at EVO 2024 marks the first American win in over two decades, a monumental achievement for the fighting game community. This article delves into the tournament's highlights and the significance of Woodley's triumph.

Woodley's EVO 2024 Championship

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2024, a three-day spectacle concluding July 21st, witnessed Victor "Punk" Woodley's groundbreaking win in the Street Fighter 6 competition. EVO, a globally renowned fighting game tournament, featured various titles including Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and Mortal Kombat 1. Woodley's victory is especially significant, breaking a 20-year drought for American champions in a mainline Street Fighter EVO tournament.

The finals showcased an intense battle between Woodley and Anouche, who fought back from the loser's bracket. Anouche's initial 3-0 victory forced a reset, leading to a nail-biting best-of-five rematch. The final match was a back-and-forth affair, culminating in Woodley's decisive victory with a Cammy super move.

Woodley's Competitive Journey

Woodley's competitive gaming career is impressive. He rose to prominence during the Street Fighter V era, achieving notable wins at major events like West Coast Warzone 6 and DreamHack Austin before his 18th birthday. Despite a previous setback in the EVO 2017 grand finals against Tokido, Woodley consistently performed well, securing numerous tournament wins. His third-place finish at EVO 2023 paved the way for his ultimate victory at EVO 2024 against Adel "Big Bird" Anouche in a match already considered legendary.

A Global Showcase of Talent

EVO 2024 highlighted the global talent pool in competitive fighting games. The diverse roster of champions 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)

These wins demonstrate the international reach and competitive spirit of the EVO tournament.