Pianists Sean Chen (left), silver medalist Beatrice Rana (center) and winner Vadym Kholodenko (right) in the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition are photographed after the award ceremony. (Photographer: Ralph Lauer; courtesy of the Cliburn)
 
Los Angeles, June 9 (CNA) An American born to parents from China won third prize and US$20,000 in the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
The 24-year-old, who graduated from the Juilliard School, told a newspaper that he "had a lot of fun" during the competition.
 
Chen, one of just six competitors to survive from the original 30, is the first American to make the Cliburn finals since another Californian, Jon Nakamatsu, captured gold in 1997.
 
Chen was born in Florida to Chinese parents who moved to Taiwan during the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution in China. Chen's parents then went to study in the United States, where they settled. The family moved to southern California when Chen was aged four.

Vadym Kholodenko from Ukraine won the championship, which is among the top showcases for the world's best pianists. Italian Beatrice Rana took second prize.