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When I was just 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the very first contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. When competition day arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then all present started performing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a group with my brother called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”