The 2024 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trial has been a whirlwind, to say the least. Injuries have plagued some of the top athletes in the days leading up to the competition, resulting in heartache felt around the country.
But it means someone unexpected will fulfill their Olympic dreams on Sunday night. And Tiana Sumanasekera is one of them.
The young star is on the rise, having a breakout showing at national championships in early June. She's known for her delicate, detailed performances, and brings a new face to an otherwise experienced roster. While it seemed a few weeks ago her selection to the Paris Games was a long shot, Sumanasekera proved otherwise on the first day of the Olympic trials in Minneapolis.
It's no surprise that Sumanasekera is able to succeed. She's a product of World Champions Centre, one of the best gyms in the world. She trains alongside greats like Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Joscelyn Roberson and Melanie de Jesus dos Santos under coaches Cecile and Laurent Landi.
After one day of Olympic trials, Sumanasekera is a top contender to make the five-gymnast team in Paris, finishing second on beam, sixth on floor and ninth all-around.
Regardless of how Sunday ends, the gymnast has proved herself as one of the youngest in the field. Here's what to know about her age and background as she makes a final showing in Minneapolis.
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How old is Tiana Sumanasekera?
Sumanasekera is one of the youngest active members of the U.S. gymnastics senior national team at just 16 years old. She was born Sept. 15, 2007, in Fremont, California.
Should she be selected to compete in Paris, Sumanasekera will be one of the youngest American gymnasts to do so.
She became a senior gymnast in 2023, making this year just her second year of competition alongside Olympic-bound gymnasts. Sumanasekera first competed at the 2023 Winter Cup, and a few months later was named to the Pan American Championship team in Medellín, where she won four medals: gold in team, all-around and beam, and silver on floor. She was also selected to represent the U.S. at the Pan American Games that September.
At the 2024 Core Classics, Sumanasekera finished sixth all-around. She qualified for the Olympic trials by placing third on floor at the U.S. Championships.
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Once considered an alternate, Sumanasekera now poses as one of the best gymnasts available for selection at the Olympic trials. Presumably joining Biles, Suni Lee, Chiles and Jade Carey, the U.S. needs a strong beam worker in Paris, and that, along with floor, is Sumanasekera's best event.
Even if the 16-year-old is not selected to go to Paris, she will be a top-runner to represent the U.S. in Los Angeles if she pursues a 2028 bid.
Tiana Sumanasekera college
Of current senior national team members, Sumanasekera is the youngest, and first of the class of 2025, to be committed to college. She'll stay in her home state and compete for UCLA beginning in 2026, joining Olympians Chiles and Emma Malabuyo.
"I am so incredibly excited to announce that I have verbally committed to UCLA on a full athletic scholarship," Sumanasekera wrote on Instagram. "This process has been amazing to say the least and I am so grateful to have been reached out by so many wonderful programs. I want to thank my family, friends, and coaches for their continuous support throughout this process.
"I cannot wait to join the Bruin family and be a part of this incredible team. GO BRUINS!!!🥹💙💛"
Tiana Sumanasekera (‘25) has committed to UCLA! #NCAAgym pic.twitter.com/lrBlXS3QgZ
— Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) November 11, 2023
The Bruins are considered one of the most decorated college gymnastics programs. Olympians Kyla Ross, Madison Kocian and Sam Peszek all competed in Westwood.
UCLA gymnastics has won seven national championships, the latest in 2018. Janelle McDonald is the current coach of the team, taking over in 2023.
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Tiana Sumanasekera pronunciation
Born to Rajitha and Ruwangi, Sumanasekera is Sri Lankan. She's believed to be the first of Sri Lankan descent to compete for U.S. gymnastics in international competition.
She wears her ethnicity proudly during competitions. Her floor routine was even self-choreographed to showcase her heritage and background, she said in March.
Her name may be long, but it's not difficult to pronounce. It sounds as it's spelled, with an emphasis on the first "e."
