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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been staged globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “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 compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a band with my sibling called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”