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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

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

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, 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.”