UCLA rising sophomore Tiana Sumanasekera has changed nationalities with World Gymnastics from USA to Sri Lanka.
Sumanasekera, whose parents are both from Sri Lanka, announced the change on Sunday, saying, “I have always had the utmost passion for gymnastics, and I fell in love with the sport from my very first day.
“Over the past 5 years, I have had the absolute privilege and honor to represent Team USA, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunities it has brought me. I will forever cherish these moments.
“With that being said, I have decided to represent Sri Lanka. I could not be more proud and excited for this special opportunity. Competing at the Olympics would be an absolute dream come true, and having the chance to honor my heritage by doing it for a country I hold so close to my heart makes it that much more special. Gymnastics is so underrepresented in Sri Lanka and South Asia as a whole, so l am beyond honored to help bring representation to such a beautiful and diverse part of the world.”
The 2024 U.S. Olympic team alternate last represented the nation in 2025, when she won gold with the team at the Pan American Championships. She also competed at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships last fall, finishing sixth on beam and ninth all-around.
”As a Sri Lankan-American, my heart will always be proud to belong to both countries,” Sumanasekera concluded. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I am excited for the new and beautiful opportunities ahead.”
Sumanasekera enjoyed a successful first NCAA season with the Bruins in the spring, competing in the all-around on 12 occasions and scoring highs of 9.95 on both beam and floor. Her viral Bollywood floor routine was born from a desire to represent South Asia, as a whole, while competing.
Sri Lanka’s representation is growing in gymnastics.
In 2021, Milka Gehani became the first Sri Lankan gymnast in any gymnast to compete at the Olympics when she competed in the all-around at the delayed Tokyo Games. In 2023, Amaya Sithumini Klukottage became the first Sri Lankan gymnast to compete at the FISU World University Games.
Source: Gymnastics Now
--Agencies
