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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been held all across the world, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.

Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

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

The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. Once competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a band with my sibling called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”