Meet 9-year-old piano prodigy Xiaolin Zhang of Dubai — in pictures

More astounding than his relatively small practise schedule – typically fewer than two hours a day – is the fact Zhang has been playing for little more than four years. Reem Mohammed / The National

It was a decision the young player made himself after originally turning down the offer of lessons from his parents. “If a child says he doesn’t want to learn it’s very difficult to push them and they won’t do well,” says his mother. “But if he wants to do it, he’s interested and will do much better.” Reem Mohammed / The National

Zhang was born in the UAE to Chinese parents. Reem Mohammed / The National

The Young Musicians of the Gulf competition, organised by British Schools in the Middle East and in its 16th year, attracted entrants from 10 schools in Kuwait, Doha, Bahrain and the UAE. Delores Johnson / The National

“Next, I hope that I can play harder pieces and more beautiful pieces,” Zhang says. “After I grow up my hands will get bigger so I will be able to play a lot harder pieces with bigger stretches – there are a lot of pieces that I’d like to play but my hands are too small.” Delores Johnson / The National

Xiaolin Zhang of Dubai has beaten piano players nearly twice his age to win the prestigious Young Musicians of the Gulf contest for a second consecutive year. Get a closer look at the young piano prodigy. Words by Rob Garrett.