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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, national championships have been organized globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. When the event came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the area exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my brother called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”