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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been staged globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

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

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my back set 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 drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started singing the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a band with my brother called the band name, inspired by 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 create mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”