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Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a group with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

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