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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. From that point, national championships have been held all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a group with my family member called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”