Taige Wang wins the 2026 Tbilisi International Piano Competition
The American pianist took first prize and four special awards in Georgia, with Jiarui Cheng of China second and Donghwi Kang of South Korea third.
Taige Wang of the United States has won first prize and US$20,000 at the Eighth Tbilisi International Piano Competition in Georgia. The competition ran from October 5 to 16, 2026 and was hosted by the Tbilisi State Conservatoire.
Jiarui Cheng of China took second prize, and Donghwi Kang of South Korea placed third. Fourth, fifth and sixth prizes went to Rachel Breen (USA), Sunmin Kim (South Korea) and Haoyu Chen (China).
Wang also received the “For Artistry” award, the prize for the best recital in the semifinal, the Annarosa Taddei Special Prize for the best performance of a classical sonata, and the Manana Doijashvili Special Prize for the best performance of a Georgian work. Cheng was given the “Exceptional Virtuosity” award by the Embassy of Israel in Georgia, Breen won the prize for the best Scarlatti sonata, and Kim received the Polish Institute in Tbilisi’s prize for the best Chopin etude.
Wang won gold medals at the Piano Star International Competition, presented by Piano League, in 2020 and 2021.
The jury was chaired by Yoheved Kaplinsky.
Source: Tbilisi International Piano Competition, Tbilisi State Conservatoire
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