© Matthew Smith/Gymnastics Now
Saturday marks the start of women’s gymnastics competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. It’s also the start of a new chapter for Tiana Sumanasekera, who announced in June that she was switching nationalities from the U.S. to Sri Lanka
Due to a shoulder injury, Sumanasekera is limited to beam in her international debut for the small island nation in South Asia
Gymnastics Now recently caught up with the 18-year-old UCLA star and 2024 U.S. Olympic team alternate to discuss her decision to change nationalities, the experience so far, and her plans on the road to LA 2028
For details on how to watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games, check out our streaming guide. Sumanasekera will compete in Subdivision 2 of qualifying on Saturday, July 25
In This Article
- Switching to Sri Lanka
- Planning for LA 2028
- A new era of Sri Lankan gymnastics
Switching to Sri Lanka
Gymnastics Now:Was there a singular moment that made you decide to switch nationalities? Or did it happen over time? If the latter, when did you decide, ‘Yes, I’m doing this!’
Tiana Sumanasekera:There was not a single defining moment, it was more of a decision that I took my time to make. After weighing all of the factors, the decision became clearer and clearer to the point where I decided, “This is what I want to do.”
GN:What has the process been like working with Sri Lanka? What was the country’s federation officials’ reaction to your decision?
Sumanasekera: It has been a really positive experience and the Sri Lankan Federation was very diligent in getting all of the paperwork done. They were so happy about the decision I made and are really excited to support me
Planning for LA 2028
GN:You mentioned LA 2028. What are your elite plans for the immediate future?
Sumanasekera: I am still figuring out my elite plans for the immediate future, but my main focus is on next year and 2028. (Sumanasekera later confirmed to us that she would be competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.)
GN:Will you be training with Janelle McDonald and the UCLA staff or splitting your time at WCC/another club gym?
Sumanasekera: Yes, I will be staying in Los Angeles and training with Janelle and the UCLA staff
A new era of Sri Lankan gymnastics
GN:You always seem to incorporate your heritage into your floor routines. Do you think that eventually played a role in you deciding to change nationalities?
Sumanasekera: For me, I have always loved to just be the most authentic version of myself, and that is something I wanted to showcase through my floor routines. The love that I have received for my routines has definitely meant a lot to me and has impacted me in many positive ways
GN:You mentioned that gymnastics is so underrepresented in Sri Lanka and South Asia as a whole — what do you hope your competing for Sri Lanka does for young gymnasts there, especially girls who might not see themselves reflected in the sport?
Sumanasekera: I truly hope to inspire the young gymnasts in Sri Lanka to be the most authentic and confident version of themselves when doing gymnastics. I want them to know that they, too, can pursue whatever their heart desires because you should always do what you love. I also plan on visiting Sri Lanka to conduct free gymnastics camps to encourage and support young girls in pursuing this sport because they enjoy it. I want to inspire them in any way I can, and it would mean the world to me to play even the smallest part in their growth as gymnasts.
