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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. When the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then everyone started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion 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 prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my family member called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”