American Christina Nam wins Ysaÿe International Music Competition held in Korea

American violinist Christina Nam, 24, has won the Ysaÿe International Music Competition, the Belgian contest held this year in Korea for the first time.

Organizers announced that the 2026 Ysaÿe International Music Competition concluded Saturday at Icheon Art Hall in Gyeonggi Province, with Nam taking first place in the senior division, Japan's Nakatani Tetsutaro, 17, finishing second, and Belgium's Csikós Vilmos, 30, placing third.

The senior division winner receives a prize of 5,000 euros ($5,720), a one-year free loan of a violin from British string instrument specialist Florian Leonhard, and a performance with the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the junior division, China's Jin Yalan, 13, claimed first place, while Lee Se-na — the youngest competitor in the field — finished second, the highest placement among Korean participants. China's Shen Weixuan, 12, and American Sun Jacob, 13, shared third place.

The junior division winner receives a prize of 1,000 euros along with a violin bow.

Jury president Joel Smirnoff said the works of Eugène Ysaÿe are "a constant source of inspiration and, at the same time, an enormous challenge for today's violinists," adding that the final held near Seoul — bringing together a world-class jury and young musicians — "was a meaningful forum for exchange in the spirit of Ysaÿe's musical legacy."

Juror and violinist Stefan Jackiw said he "savored three days of memorable performances thanks to the competitors' original interpretations and outstanding artistry," and called it "an honor to be part of this meaningful journey, a collaboration between Korea and Belgium."

The event went beyond a ranking competition, unfolding as a comprehensive music festival combining masterclasses, an instrument exhibition and a gala concert. The organizers from both countries said they aim to develop the Ysaÿe Competition into "a global classical platform jointly operated by Korea and Belgium, firmly establishing it as a gateway for emerging musicians from around the world."