First ever female UK air guitar champion crowned in Tufnell Park
A Boy Named Sue holds the trophy aloft - Credit: Archant
For the first time ever, a lady holds the coveted title of UK Air Guitar Champion.
The inaugural air axe woman – A Boy Named Sue – was crowned after a thunderously sweaty final at the Boston Music Room, in Junction Road, Tufnell Park last month.
The newly-crowned champion will now fly out to Finland to represent Britain in the World Air Guitar Championships at the end of August.
Sue, real name Charlotte Clarke, said: “It feels absolutely amazing to win because ever since I started I’ve wanted to be the first female champion.
“A lot of people would call me a radical feminist, not that I burn stuff or anything, but I firmly believe in equal opportunities and making sure women get a fair deal, so to realise that ambition happen is huge.
“I’ve been entering since the second year and always placed well, but last year I didn’t do so well and it gave me a kick up the back side.
“This year I tried to be more raw, more passionate, and it paid off.
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“It’s so nice to do it after all these years.”
At the competition, held in Islington for the ninth year running, 15 virtual strummers – 10 registered and five wild cards picked form the crowd – competed for the title.
The champ pulled out some outrageous moves and raucous routines to hold off strong challenges from previous winner The Bandit and Tough Jahaymese to claim the crown.
Mrs Clarke will now fly out for the world championships.
She said: “I don’t expect to win, put it that way.
“I’ve watched the world championships and the standard is crazy.
“But I’ve always wanted to compete, so It’s fantastic just to be going.
“Plus I have heard it is a week long party, so I’ll have a good time.”
Air Guitar UK, who run the country’s only officially recognised championships, is a non-profit organisation and cash from ticket sales goes to Teenage Cancer Trust.
Jen Walker, music coordinator for the charity, said: “This is always such a fun event in our music fundraising calendar, plus, it has raised lots of money over the years for young people diagnosed with cancer.”
