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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders gathering 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 a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned 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 annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to give everything – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those gestures and hops. Once the event arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. One of the greats – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a band with my brother called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, 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 brings more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”