Victor ‘Punk’ Woodley crashed onto the Road Fighter scene within the early days of SFV, shortly rising within the ranks to develop into one of many sport’s most formidable gamers. Though he’d received a complete of eight Premier occasions within the Capcom Professional Tour, EVO continued to elude him… till now.
Punk delivered among the best performances of EVO 2024 in opposition to Huge Chicken, however he’s removed from completed dominating the competitors in Road Fighter 6. There was nary a dry eye within the room when he clutched out a heart-stopping victory in opposition to his pal and fellow competitor on the principle stage Sunday night time.
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This marked a serious second in his profession seven years after he misplaced on that exact same stage in opposition to Tokido within the 2017 Grand Finals. Now, it’s Punk who has lastly cemented himself as an EVO champion. The belief introduced him to tears as hundreds of followers chanted from the stands: “You deserve it.”
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We bought the prospect to talk with Punk in a press convention after his explosive win over Huge Chicken, the place he opened up about his future plans for the CPT and the way he managed to remain calm regardless of his opponent’s overwhelming strain and going through technical difficulties mid-match.
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Actually, Punk’s headphones stopped working on the tail finish of sport three after Huge Chicken’s bracket reset — one thing that will have thrown most gamers off of their psychological sport. We requested Punk about how he managed to bounce again from this second… however for him, it wasn’t an enormous deal in any respect.
“It was on the finish of the spherical. I had virtually just about received, however it lower out throughout my degree three, and I simply knew I needed to end the match,” he advised us. “I don’t really want sound once I play, however I wish to have it. So even when the sound will get lower off, it’s okay for me to only hold enjoying.”
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“Generally unhealthy issues occur,” he added in one other remark. “You see, at the moment, Nemo had a controller problem. So, typically issues simply occur which can be out of your management, and it may undoubtedly have an effect on you mentally, however I don’t need issues like that to have an effect on me anymore.”
That’s an enormous a part of Punk’s present sport plan in the case of aggressive preventing video games. When requested about how he managed to maintain a degree head throughout such an intense match, the EVO champ admitted that he’s allowed himself to get comfy with shedding, one thing he began doing in the beginning of this present aggressive season.
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“The one factor I really feel like I modified is being okay with shedding,” he mentioned to the press. “I really feel like that’s been serving to me do higher these previous few months.”
EVO marked the primary Premier occasion on the 2024 CPT. Having taken residence the championship, Punk is now certified for a spot at Capcom Cup later this yr — however regardless of already having a seat on the desk, he needs extra.
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“Capcom Cup and attempting to win EWC,” he answered when requested what’s subsequent for his sport plan. “These are our two massive, vital tournaments, and I need to win some huge cash.”
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This victory is only one of many who Punk has loved all through his profession, however it’s little doubt the most important on his resume. Now, different younger gamers are making a splash within the competitors like 17-year-old EndingWalker, hearkening again to Punk’s personal origins as a proficient teenager breaking out onto the scene. This prompted the press to ask him about his ideas on his legacy as an EVO champion… however he’s not sure how he feels about it simply but.
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“I’m not likely certain, to be sincere,” he admitted. “I solely actually care about myself. I simply need to win for myself principally. I don’t actually know what I need my legacy to be. I simply need individuals to know that I used to be an incredible participant. That’s just about it.”
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In the event that they didn’t earlier than, the world most definitely is aware of about it now. Punk couldn’t even depart the venue with out being greeted by throngs of followers cheering him on as he exited the Las Vegas Conference Middle. His victory was an emotionally charged second that adopted seven years of laborious work, giving him emotions that he wasn’t certain easy methods to articulate to curious reporters.
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“It’s actually laborious to place it in phrases,” he laughed. “You realize, I’m simply very blissful and relieved as a result of it began so unhealthy within the final spherical. I used to be getting very scared, after which I bought slightly fortunate, and every part simply circled for me. I used to be simply very relieved and simply excited, blissful. I don’t know. It’s so many feelings. It’s laborious to explain it.”
Punk made certain to present Huge Chicken his flowers, saying that the 2 are good mates and sometimes prepare collectively. Watching them duke it out in Grand Finals felt like watching Road Fighter V yet again in the easiest way.
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Though they’re nonetheless of their mid-twenties, it’s clear that this duo are the brand new pillars of Road Fighter’s aggressive scene. Their nail-biting combat to the end will endlessly reside on within the hallowed annals of preventing sport historical past — a match that topped a well-deserved winner who’s nonetheless hungry for extra.
