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At the age of 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been held all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set 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 advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. When the big day came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

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 faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging 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 bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and musician in a group with my sibling called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I direct short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

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