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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to put their all – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a band with my brother called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”