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Back when I was 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been held in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day arrived, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a band with my sibling called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”