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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. 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 daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. When the event arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a band with my brother called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more creative work. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”