After being named the world害羞草研究所檚 top air guitarist in Finland, a 34-year-old Canadian man is trying to drum up interest back home for his tongue-in-cheek craft.

Zachary Knowles, also known as 害羞草研究所淚chabod Fame,害羞草研究所� was crowned the 2024 air guitar world champion on Friday, which guarantees him entry in next year害羞草研究所檚 competition.

Dressed in a bright white outfit and visor, Knowles claimed the title with a high-energy routine set to a cover version of Nickelback害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所淧hotograph.害羞草研究所�

He whipped his long wavy hair to the music and punctuated key points with high kicks, spins and a cartwheel.

The Hamilton-born actor and bass player fully acknowledges the inherent silliness of pretending to play an invisible instrument but describes air guitar as an art form that allows performers and audiences to let loose.

Knowles beat out 15 others, including last year害羞草研究所檚 champion Nanami (Seven Seas) Nagura from Japan. Contestants are judged on originality, stage presence, technical merit and artistic impression.

害羞草研究所淵ou get to put on the most wild and entertaining performance for just up to 60 seconds that you possibly can,害羞草研究所� Knowles explained Monday when reached by video call in Manchester, U.K.

害羞草研究所淎ir guitar is an invitation to be a little silly because when you bring something that is so ridiculous and really put your heart into it, a crowd goes 害羞草研究所極K, I can be a little silly too.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

Contestants must offer one performance to a prepared song submitted ahead of time, and a second based on a song they hear the day of the contest. Knowles submitted 害羞草研究所淧hotograph害羞草研究所� ahead of time, and improvised to Olivia Rodrigo害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所淥bsessed.害羞草研究所�

Knowles said he was first introduced to air guitar while teaching burlesque dancing. Two of his students were air guitarists and suggested he take part in regional competitions.

害羞草研究所淚 went to the Toronto regionals and I did mediocre at best, but I was absolutely hooked to see all these people just giving it their absolute all and putting on just a really fun show,害羞草研究所� Knowles said.

The Air Guitar World Championship, which first launched in 1996, says its aim is to promote world peace and that negative things such as war and climate change will vanish 害羞草研究所渨hen all the people in the world play the air guitar.害羞草研究所�

Knowles was named Canada害羞草研究所檚 national air guitar champion in May and said he hoped he can use his wins to help bolster the presence of Air Guitar Canada, the Canadian affiliate of the championship.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 going to be following their lead as the world champion and national champion about drumming up (interest), maybe doing some public shows and performances and things that get people just more aware about air guitar in Canada,害羞草研究所� Knowles said.