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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to jump, my digits fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. When the event dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in 25 years. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my brother called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”