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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day came, I could sense the music in my being.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. 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 previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. 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 there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my family member called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it brings more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”