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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine set for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a band with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce short films and music videos. The title hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”