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Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. Once the big day came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then all present started singing the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a band with my sibling called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”