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When I was just 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel score you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. When competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then everyone started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first 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 “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a group with my brother called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”