Third Hainan Fushan Cup: International Baristas Spotlight

The Third Hainan Fushan Cup International Barista Championship once again drew elite coffee professionals from around the globe. Set against the backdrop of China’s premier coffee town—Fushan Coffee Culture Village—this competition spotlighted world-class baristas who have earned accolades across Asia, the Americas, and Europe. With over 20 competitors representing more than 10 countries, the event is known for its high-level judging, professional standards, and rich diversity of styles.

In total, more than 20 baristas from nations including Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, the United States, Colombia, Brazil, and others showcased their skills. Many are former national or regional champions with years of competitive and professional experience.

Korea’s Former Champions

Jeon Joo Yeon, a 5-year veteran barista from MOMOS Coffee in Busan, Korea, has an impressive track record. She won the 2009 Busan Barista Championship and the 2011 Korea Regional of the World Coffee Championships (WCCK). In 2013, she took 1st runner-up in both the Team and Individual categories of the World Roaster & Barista Championship, and was 2nd runner-up in the Korea WCCK in both 2013 and 2014.

China’s Top Contenders

Hu Ying, from Guiyang, brings 9 years of experience and previously placed 4th in the 2014 China Barista Championship (WBC) Finals. Li Wending, a 5-year trainer at Yunnan Kable Trading, was the 2012 Yunnan Regional 3rd place and Southwest Division ‘excellent competitor’ in the WBC. Liu Dejiang, a 4-year trainer from Xi’an’s Sculpting in Time Coffee Academy, claimed the 2013 WBC Xi’an Regional title and was a 2012 national finalist champion.

Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan

Naoko Osawa, an 8-year barista and trainer at Japan’s Ogawa Coffee, won the Japan Latte Art Championship in both 2011 and 2012. Kanda Thochampa, a 6-year Thai competitor and General Manager of Nana Coffee, was the 2013 Thai National Champion and 2014 runner-up. Li Mingru, a 4-year roaster and barista from Taiwan’s TASTERS COFFEE, was 2013’s Taiwanese Barista Championship runner-up.

Southeast Asia & Oceania

Pham Minh Tan, a 10-year veteran and restaurant manager in Vietnam, took 3rd place in the 2009 Vietnamese National Championship. Kevin Israel R. Fortu, a 4-year Filipino coffee manager, won the 2013 Philippine National Barista Championship and represented the country in Singapore in 2014. Moustakas Rie, a 5-year Canadian barista and franchise partner for Gloria Jean’s Coffee, claimed the 2014 Australian Latte Art Championship and was 2013’s Canadian Brewers Cup winner.

Other International Highlights

From Australia, Rie also took the 2014 Western Australian Latte Art title. Tarlo Joshua, a 5-year Canadian coffee specialist and 90+ roaster rep, was 2013’s Canadian and World Brewers Cup third-place finisher. Wang Xining, a 3-year trainer from Yinchuan, China, was 2014’s Ningxia Regional runner-up. Okuta Mark, a 5-year Ugandan barista, won Uganda’s 2011 National Championship and was 2014’s runner-up nationally and in the African Barista Challenge.

China’s Rising Stars

Zhao Yuan, a 3-year barista from Hainan’s Fushan Coffee, and Ji Changxun, a 4-year trainer at Hainan Fushan Coffee Vocational School, were 2014 Hainan Regional runners-up. Sun Quanxiu, a 7-year Beijing trainer, won the 2011 Beijing Syphonist Championship. Amelie Cheng, a 4-year Hong Kong barista and Q Grader, claimed the 2012 Hong Kong Latte Art Creative Championship. Tu Yuehua, a 7-year founder of D-Union Coffee Studio in Guangzhou, was 2014’s China Deep South & National runner-up.

More Competitors and Diversity

Huang Zijian, a 2-year barista from Guangzhou, won the 2013 Asia Pacific Cities Barista Competition in Busan and was 2014’s China WBC Shenzhen-Dongguan Champion and national 5th place. Sun Jiahui, a 2-year Shanghai barista, was 2014’s Shanghai Regional Champion. Jack, a 5-year barista from the Philippines, and other regional talents round out the diverse field.

Why This Competition Matters

The Fushan Cup is renowned for attracting top-tier international talent, offering a high-profile stage in the heart of China’s growing specialty coffee scene. With strict judging, professional staging, and diverse representation, it's considered one of the most fairly run and globally respected barista events in Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries were represented at the Third Hainan Fushan Cup?

Competitors came from over 10 countries including Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, the United States, Colombia, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and others—over 20 baristas in total.

Which Korean barista has the most titles?

Jeon Joo Yeon from Busan has won the 2009 Busan Barista Championship, 2011 Korea WCCK Regional, and multiple 1st and 2nd runner-up finishes in the 2013–2014 World Roaster & Barista and Korea WCCK events.

Who are the notable baristas from Japan and Thailand?

Naoko Osawa from Japan won the 2011 and 2012 Japan Latte Art Championships. Kanda Thochampa from Thailand was the 2013 Thai National Champion and 2014 runner-up.

Which Australian and Canadian baristas stood out?

Moustakas Rie from Australia won the 2014 Australian and Western Australian Latte Art Championships. Tarlo Joshua from Canada was the 2013 Canadian Brewers Cup Champion and 2013 World Brewers Cup 3rd place.

What makes the Fushan Cup internationally respected?

The Fushan Cup is known for its professional organization, high-level judging, and diverse international field, making it one of the most credible and respected barista championships in Asia.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Barista Competition

For baristas honing their craft like those at the Hainan Fushan Cup, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Lintong Mandheling—a PWN-selected Ethiopian-style washed bean with herbal, spicy, and caramelised toast notes—or the 2013 Yunnan Ironica, a balanced, medium-roast coffee with chocolate, nut, and tea-like flavours ideal for espresso or filter. Both showcase the depth and clarity sought in competition brewing. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.