Chinese finalist in New Zealand violin competition persuaded to play by dying mother

A Chinese competitor in the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in Auckland fulfilled his mother's last wish by playing in the contest. Xiang Yu, 22, would not have attended the event if it had not been for his dying mother's entreaties that he should go to New Zealand. Xiang's mother died of leukaemia just two hours before his New Zealand flight. He went on to reach the final of the competition and won third prize with his performance of the Prokofiev Second Concerto.