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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been staged globally, with the champions converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. 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.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my brother called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”