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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. From that point, national championships have been staged globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. When competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a group with my brother called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”