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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, national championships have been held in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. When the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more creative work. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”