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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

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

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. When the event dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”