US air guitarist gets thumbs up

A US air guitarist nicknamed Hot Lixx Hulahan has won the World Air Guitar Championship in Finland.

The elite of the world's air guitarists descend on the northern Finnish city of Oulu with their invisible instruments to battle it out last night.

20 air guitar players from all corners of the world enthusiastically demonstrated their command of their invisible instruments in front of a large crowd.

Asked for his view on the competition, a Slovenian spectator replied: 'It's awesome.'

The competition is now in its 13th year. Battling it out were the national champions from 16 countries as well as some others who were selected from the 'Dark Horse' qualifying round staged at a local rock club the night before.

The man to beat was reigning champion Ochi 'Dainoji' Yosuke from Japan.

Great performances were seen from 'musicians' from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the US and South Africa as well as many from Europe.

The best of the lot was Craig 'Hot Lixx Hulahan' Billmeier (below), who walked away with the title.

He expressed surprise at the victory, and hinted a long night of celebration was ahead: 'Honestly I did not anticipate to become a champion, I feel a little like broadsided about the whole thing. Ask me tomorrow morning, no make it tomorrow night actually.'

Air guitar playing became popular in the 1970s when breathtaking electric guitar solos inspired teenagers throughout the world grab their tennis rackets, or whatever else that would do the trick, and mime their idols.

But in 1996, air guitar playing moved out of the privacy of the bedrooms and the first air guitar championship was held in Oulu in 1996.

Soon national championships sprang up around the world and now there is an international network of qualifying competitions.

Once in Oulu, the winner from each country performs a chosen song for one minute. In the second round of the final they then have to improvise to a song chosen by the judges.

According to the judges, musical talent is not necessary nor is the ability to play an actual guitar. The winner is chosen for his or her ability to move around the stage playing the air guitar as realistically as possible.

For the thirteenth time, jury was headed by Finnish 'godfather' of the air guitar, Juha Torvinen.

Other jury members were 2005 world champion Michael 'The Destroyer' Heffels from the Netherlands, Amanda Griffiths, who did her PhD on the air guitar culture, as well as event organisers.