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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “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 came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. Once competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”