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When I was just 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. When the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

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