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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my back set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event came, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had drawn 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 Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. 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 lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”