MALAYSIAN classical pianist Vincent Ong lost out to more experienced peers in the finals of the prestigious 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.
The event is dubbed the "Olympics" of symphonic piano global competitions.
The 24-year old took fifth placing in Poland but made history by becoming the first Malaysian to qualify for the finals of the acclaimed competition.
Ong made the finals together with 10 others from all over the world with the winner being Eric Lu from USA, second went to Kevin Chen of Canada and third placing went to Zitong Wang of China.
The fourth placing was shared between Tianyao Lyu (China) and Shiori Kuwahara (Japan) while Ong took the fifth placing with Piotr Anderszewski of Poland.
His mother Sue Sudarak posted on social media about her son's achievement and was grateful that the nation was rooting for him.
Ong is a former winner of the 19th International Robert Schumann Competition and a fellow of the Lieven International Piano Foundation in Vienna.
He now teaches piano at the Märkisch-Oderland District Music School in Petershagen, Berlin. – October 21, 2025.
