Long before Milan

Such meticulous attention to detail was the culmination of years of preparation. Sun's journey to the WBC finals began long before Milan: He first won China's national title in 2019, made his world debut in 2022, and, after reclaiming the national championship in 2023, returned to the WBC to represent China with greater experience, insight, and confidence.

Looking back, Sun says he was pleased to showcase his understanding of coffee chemistry and ultrasonic technology, but post-competition reflection led him to rethink his approach. He realized that coffee competition is not just about chemical results — it must balance science, innovation, culture, and experience.

In Milan, after two days of preliminary rounds and a tense semi-final, six competitors advanced to the final. When Sun's name was announced, it marked a historic moment for him and his team.

Sun's mentor, Jiang Feng, recalls: "Sun's name was the last one called. We all cried. For many years, baristas from the Chinese mainland repeatedly attempted to reach the final round and fell short. After each competition, we asked how we could earn the top global honor. This year (in 2025), we finally did it."

Jiang describes Sun's presentation style as calm and rational, but in the final round, Sun infused his performance with emotion drawn from years of preparation. That sincerity resonated with the judges.

"After every round, we reviewed our performance the same day and prepared for the next. Since no barista from the mainland had reached the finals before, we were learning step by step," Jiang says.