Australian wins Fushan Cup International Barista Championship

Tilly Sproule from Australia won the eighth China Fushan Cup International Barista Championship on Wednesday, beating 23 other contestants from 15 countries and regions after two days of competition in Chengmai, Hainan province.

Wojtek Bialczak from Germany and Cole Jonathon Torode from Canada won the second and third place, with the top three being awarded 25,000 yuan, 20,000 yuan and 15,000 yuan, respectively.

The China Fushan Cup International Barista Championship was launched in 2012 in Chengmai, a place well known for longevity in northwestern Hainan island. As the top international barista event in China, the championship has attracted a total of more than 180 players from 40 countries over the years.

Kayonga Charles, Rwandan ambassador to China, said the Fushan Cup International Barista Championship sponsored by Chengmai county, where Fushan is located, has not only promoted coffee products and displayed coffee-making skills, but also has built a platform for exchanges among coffee makers from all over the world. The ambassador said Rwanda has about 400,000 farmers growing coffee and 98 percent of the products are sold overseas every year.

He said Rwanda hopes to work with Hainan companies to build a mutually beneficial and win-win partnership.