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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to leap, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. By the time the event dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d won, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”