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When I was just 10, I came across a story in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to play again. As they declared I’d won, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”