Punk Wins EVO 2024: First American Victory in 20 Years

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Victor "Punk" Woodley makes history at EVO 2024 by becoming the first American champion in Street Fighter 6 in over two decades. Discover what made this win so special and how it impacts the future of competitive Street Fighter.

Historic Victory in Street Fighter 6 at EVO 2024

Victor “Punk” Woodley Makes His Mark

The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2024 concluded on July 21st, delivering one of the most iconic moments in recent fighting game history. Victor "Punk" Woodley claimed victory in the Street Fighter 6 tournament, ending a 20-year drought for American players in the mainline Street Fighter series at EVO.

EVO remains one of the world’s premier fighting game tournaments, drawing elite players from around the globe. This year’s event spanned three days and featured top-tier competition across multiple titles, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear -Strive-, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes, Mortal Kombat 1, and The King of Fighters XV. Among them, Street Fighter 6 stood out as the centerpiece, culminating in a dramatic final that will be remembered for years to come.

The grand finals were an intense battle between Punk and Adel "Big Bird" Anouche. After falling 3–0 in the first set, Anouche fought back through the losers' bracket and reset the final with a commanding performance. The second best-of-five series was fiercely contested, with both players trading wins until reaching a final match point. With the score tied 2–2 in sets and 1–1 in the final game, Punk secured victory with a flawless execution of Cammy’s super move—capping off a historic moment for American competitors.

The Road to Redemption

Victor "Punk" Woodley has long been a standout figure in the fighting game community. He rose to fame during the Street Fighter V era, capturing major wins at events such as West Coast Warzone 6, NorCal Regionals, DreamHack Austin, and ELEAGUE—all before turning 18.

Despite his early dominance, he faced heartbreak at EVO 2017 when he fell short against Daigo “The Beast” Uno in a legendary final against Tokido. Over the following years, Woodley remained a top contender but narrowly missed out on EVO and Capcom Cup titles.

At EVO 2023, he placed third after defeats by Amjad "AngryBird" Al-Shalabi and Saul "MenaRD" Mena II. But in 2024, he returned stronger than ever, facing Anouche in what many are calling one of the greatest Street Fighter 6 matches in EVO history—and finally claiming the championship that had eluded him for so long.

A Global Stage for Fighting Game Excellence

EVO 2024 showcased incredible talent from around the world, with top players representing their regions across multiple games. Here are the champions of the main events:

⚫︎ 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 lineup underscores the truly international appeal of EVO and the global reach of competitive gaming. Each victory brought its own story of perseverance, skill, and dedication, making EVO 2024 a landmark event in esports history.

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