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At the age of 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the first band I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back 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 reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those moves and leaps. When the event came, I could sense the music in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in 25 years. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my family member called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”