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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, playing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those bends and jumps. Once competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a group with my sibling called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create mini movies and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”