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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Ever since, national championships have been held globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. Once the big day came, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the group title, named after 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 mini movies and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”