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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. 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 set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then everyone started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and musician in a group with my brother called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

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