Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham wins prestigious Van Cliburn international competition

Aristo Sham, 29, becomes first Hong Kong winner of international competition held in Texas, setting him on road to classical music stardom

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Aristo Sham, 29, of Hong Kong, performs with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under conductor Marin Alsop in the finals of the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Sham was named winner of its top prize on June 6, 2025. Photo: Ralph Lauer

Published: 1:14pm, 8 Jun 2025Updated: 12:50pm, 12 Jun 2025

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 contest’s four gruelling rounds, which began on May 21 with 28 competitors from 15 countries, received a combined 20 million views from 145 countries.

After Sham’s 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.

Aristo Sham, of Hong Kong (right), the overall winner, bronze medal winner Evren Ozel, of the United States (left), and Vitaly Starikov, of Israel and Russia, who came second, during the awards ceremony of the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, US. Photo: Brandon Wade

The silver medal went to Vitaly Starikov of Israel and Russia, and the bronze to Evren Ozel of the United States.

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