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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the champions converging in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my father loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” 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 listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those moves and leaps. When the big day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a band with my family member called the band name, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”