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Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show once more, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score 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 freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a group with my sibling called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”