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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized globally, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, 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 thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

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

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a group with my family member called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”