Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham Ching-tao has won the 2025 edition of the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, putting him on track for global stardom.
Sham, 29, is the first pianist from Hong Kong to win the competition, held in Fort Worth in the US state of Texas.
The announcement on June 7 of his victory followed two-and-a-half weeks of intense anticipation. Live streams of the contestโs four gruelling rounds, which began on May 21 with 28 competitors from 15 countries, received a combined 20 million views from 145 countries.
After Shamโs name was read out by jury chairman Paul Lewis to loud cheers in the packed Bass Performance Hall, the winner stepped onto the stage wearing a bow tie and a huge smile to receive his gold medal and trophy.
The silver medal went to Vitaly Starikov of Israel and Russia, and the bronze to Evren Ozel of the United States.