UCLA Bruins’ Tiana Sumanasekera has officially changed her nationality with World Gymnastics from American to Sri Lankan ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics. The former 2024 Olympic alternate made this move to represent her family’s Sri Lankan heritage and to elevate the sport of gymnastics across South Asia.
Sumanasekera announced this decision on her Instagram on Sunday, where she wrote a post explaining the reasoning behind it. She thanked Team USA for all their support throughout her five-year tenure while also explaining why it matters so much to her to represent Sri Lanka.
“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.”
She continued:
“With that being said, I have decided to represent Sri Lanka. I could not be prouder and more 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 I am beyond honored to help bring representation to such a beautiful and diverse part of the world.”
She then wrote:
“As a Sri Lankan American, my heart will always be proud to belong to both countries.”
Sumanasekera was born in California to her Sri Lankan immigrant parents, Ruwangi and Rajitha Sumanasekera. Tiana quickly climbed the ranks of the elite circuit and became the first Sri Lankan to have represented the United States’ national team. She took the all-around title home at the 2023 Pan American Championship and finished eighth at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Tiana Sumanasekera’s Final Appearances for Team USA
The rising sophomore last represented the United States at the 2025 Pan American Championships and at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. At the Pan Ams, she won the women’s team gold with 164.765. The event took place in Panama on June 14, 2025, where both the US men’s and women’s divisions bagged team titles at their respective routines.
Sumanasekera teamed up with Hezly Rivera, Dulcy Caylor, Jayla Hang, and Gabrielle Hardie to win the women’s team title. They left Canada at number two with 151.633 and Brazil at number three with 151.466 by claiming 13 more points to win.
She also competed for America at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, where she finished sixth on beam and ninth all-around.
These events served as a fruitful send-off to her Team USA career, and it remains to be seen how she gears up for the many upcoming elite events with the responsibility of representing her Sri Lankan heritage.
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