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At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been organized globally, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. 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 daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the venue exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a band with my family member called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”