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At the age of 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in the town square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. Once the event dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, 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. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”