Victor ‘Punk’ Woodley burst onto the Street Fighter scene during the early days of SFV, swiftly climbing the ranks to establish himself as one of the most formidable players in the game. Despite his success in winning eight Premier events in the Capcom Pro Tour, he had yet to conquer EVO… until now.
Despite delivering one of the best performances at EVO 2024 against Big Bird, Punk’s dominance in Street Fighter 6 is far from over. The audience was emotional as he clinched a nail-biting win against his friend and fellow competitor on the main stage on Sunday night.
This was a significant moment in his career, occurring seven years after he was defeated on the same stage by Tokido in the 2017 Grand Finals. Today, Punk has solidified his position as an EVO champion. The realization overwhelmed him, and he was moved to tears as fans cheered and chanted: “You deserve it.”
In a press conference after his dominant victory over Big Bird, we had the opportunity to chat with Punk. He shared his upcoming plans for the CPT and revealed how he maintained composure despite his opponent’s constant pressure and encountering technical difficulties during the match.
Despite his headphones malfunctioning towards the end of game three, just after Big Bird’s bracket reset, Punk remained unfazed. While this could have easily affected most players’ mental game, we spoke to Punk about how he was able to quickly recover from this moment. However, for him, it was a minor issue that did not greatly impact his performance.
During the final round, the player shared with us that he was close to winning but the game suddenly crashed during his level three. Despite the setback, he was determined to finish the match. He mentioned that sound is not essential for him to play, but he prefers to have it. Even when the sound cuts out, he is able to continue playing without any issue.
“In a separate comment, he acknowledged that sometimes negative events occur. He explained that during that day, Nemo had experienced a problem with its controller. These unforeseen circumstances, which are beyond one’s control, can have a mental impact, but he no longer wants them to have power over him.”
Redemption.#Evo2024 pic.twitter.com/ocfRuKY6LY
— Evo (@Evo) July 22, 2024
Punk’s current strategy in competitive fighting games heavily revolves around this aspect. When questioned about his ability to remain composed during a highly competitive match, the EVO champion revealed that he has learned to accept defeat and become accustomed to it, a mindset he adopted at the start of this season.
“When speaking to the press, he admitted that the only alteration he has made is accepting defeat. He believes that this mindset has played a significant role in his recent improvements.”
As the first Premier event on the 2024 CPT, EVO was a significant milestone. With his victory at the tournament, Punk has secured a spot at the upcoming Capcom Cup. However, even though he has already secured a seat at the table, he is still hungry for more success.
“His game plan for the future involves competing in both the Capcom Cup and EWC, as he shared when asked about his next steps. These two prestigious tournaments hold great importance and he is determined to emerge victorious and earn a substantial amount of money.”
This triumph adds to the long list of successes Punk has achieved in his career, and it undoubtedly stands out as the most significant one. As the competition continues, new and rising players like 17-year-old EndingWalker are making their mark, reminiscent of Punk’s own beginnings as a skilled young player bursting onto the scene. As a result, the media has questioned him about his thoughts on his legacy as an EVO champion… but at this point, he remains uncertain about how he truly feels about it.
“To be honest, I’m unsure,”he confessed. “My main focus is on myself and winning. As for my legacy, I’m not quite sure. All I strive for is to be recognized as an exceptional player. That’s my ultimate goal.”
Ever since his victory, the world has been well aware of Punk’s success. As he exited the Las Vegas Convention Center, he was met with a crowd of enthusiastic fans, a stark contrast from before when he had little recognition. The emotional moment marked the culmination of seven years of dedication and hard work, leaving Punk at a loss for words when reporters asked him to describe his feelings.
Street Fighter 6 EVO champ @PunkdaGod walks out of the venue to chants from fans pic.twitter.com/IgBILzFC7x
— dexerto (@dexerto) July 22, 2024
“It’s difficult to express in words,”he chuckled. “I’m simply overjoyed and relieved despite the rough start in the last round. I was quite fearful, but a stroke of luck turned everything around. I felt immense relief and excitement. It’s a mix of emotions that’s hard to put into words.”
Punk made a point to acknowledge Big Bird, expressing their close friendship and frequent training sessions. Witnessing their intense battle in Grand Finals brought back memories of Street Fighter V in the most enjoyable way.
Despite being in their mid-twenties, it is evident that this pair is now leading figures in the competitive Street Fighter scene. Their intense battle until the end will always be remembered in the revered pages of fighting game history – a match that declared a deserving champion who remains determined for further success.
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