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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could feel the song 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 moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, 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 guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star 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 football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”