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When I was just 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, national championships have been organized globally, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition 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 miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, 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 the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win 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 event is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. When the big day arrived, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a group with my family member called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I direct short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”