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Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt 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 most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then all present started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a band with my family member called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”