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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and musician in a band with my family member called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I create 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 hope it leads to more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”