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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. Once competition day arrived, I could internalize the track in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a band with my family member called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create 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 aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are promising opportunities.

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