Sustainability foams over competition

By integrating sustainable practices at every step, from innovative farming and eco-friendly processing to low-carbon milk and the transformation of by-products into new flavors, Sun demonstrated how precision and responsibility can coexist with warmth and care. His achievement reflects the steady progress of Chinese baristas and the broader development of China's coffee industry, inspiring more young baristas to step onto the global stage.

"Aside from the practice and validation of this competition, what excites me most is not just achieving second place in the world, but witnessing the growth and evolution I've experienced through years of competing in the WBC," says the 39-year-old barista. "My team and I have been steadily improving, gradually moving closer to the world's top tier and competing head-on with the strongest contenders. With this foundation, we will bring more innovative and leading concepts into future competitions."

Having worked in the coffee industry for over a decade, Sun acknowledges that Chinese competitors still face gaps compared with top international baristas who have more experience and more substantial resources. Even so, he hopes to support others by sharing what he has learned.

"In the future, I plan to invite more professional peers and mentors, and collaborate with professional organizations and coffee brands to share more of our competition-related experiences," he says.

He also plans to develop courses covering theoretical knowledge, extraction techniques, espresso sensory training, and more, while turning some innovative competition equipment into consumer products for everyday use.