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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. When the big day arrived, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my brother called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”