Cano Smit first came to public attention at the 2017 Montreal International Piano Competition, where he placed as a finalist. For his performances, he was lauded as "a great artist in the making" who had committed a "virtual near-suicide" with his finals concerto choice. He won his first major competition when he was awarded the first prize at the Naumburg International Piano Competition in November 2017. His second major competition win came in November 2019 at the Young Concert Artists Competition, where he was the recipient of 6 special prizes.
