A blind pianist from Tokyo won a gold medal June 7 at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. He was joined by a teenager from China in getting the top prize, making them the first winners from Asia.

Nobuyuki Tsujii, 20, also made history as the first blind pianist to win.

Tsujii shared the award with Haochen Zhang, 19. It was only the second time in the 47-year history of the competition that there have been dual winners.

After Tsujii's name was announced and his translator escorted him onto the stage, he wrapped his arms around pianist Van Cliburn, grinning from ear to ear as the audience gave him a lengthy standing ovation and cheered.