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At the age of 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. By the time the event arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and string player in a band with my family member called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I produce mini movies and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”