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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those gestures and hops. When the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. 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. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a band with my family member called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”