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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, national championships have been held in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it 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.

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

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my back set for those bends and jumps. When the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then all present started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”