Armless Pianist Wins China’s Got Talent

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An armless pianist who tickles the ivories with his toes has won the first season of China’s Got Talent.

Liu Wei, 23, played James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” at the final in Shanghai Stadium last night, defeating rivals that included a seven-year old comedian and a 23-year old aspiring rock star. (But could he beat the pint-size opera star in the States?)

WATCH:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex3jnShUWSs]

Wei lost both of his arms at the age of 10 after he was electrocuted during a game of hide-and-seek. He began teaching himself how to play the piano at 18.

(More on TIME.com: See the 100 best TV shows of all time.)

The Shanghai Daily reports that Wei, a native of Beijing, won the judges over in part by making light of his situation: “At least I have a pair of perfect legs,” he said on national television.

The story of Susan Boyle, spinster-turned-recording-artist, suddenly feels a whole lot more mundane. 

(Watch a video of Ablisa’s on-air punch-up on The X-Factor.)