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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been held all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. 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 started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to put their all – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. Once competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the square erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a band with my brother called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”