Taiwanese violinist Zeng Yu-qian (曾宇謙) has been awarded the silver medal in the violin category of the 15th  International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

No one won the gold  medal in the prestigious competition this year.

Twenty-year-old Zeng beat contestants from Russia, Moldova, South Korea and  Germany to achieve the best-ever performance for Taiwan in the  competition, which is held every four years.

Four years ago, Zeng got through to the top-eight round of the  competition as the youngest contestant and won a special jury prize.

Talking to reporters after the award ceremony last night, he said that he  “had hoped but not expected” to win and that he appreciated very much  the recognition of the jury.

First held in 1958, the International Tchaikovsky Competition is a  classical music competition for pianists, violinists and cellists  between 16 and 30 years of age.

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