At just 15 years old, Tiana Sumanasekera has mesmerized the gymnastics community with her extraordinary abilities and immense impact on the sport. Her invaluable contributions have earned her a well-deserved place on the United States women’s national artistic gymnastics team. Among her notable accomplishments is the remarkable feat of clinching the esteemed title of 2023 Pan American champion. While Tiana’s path has been rife with challenges and triumphs, she persists with unwavering determination, carving out a distinctive legacy for herself.

One of the most significant moments in Sumanasekera’s gymnastics career was the opportunity to train alongside Simone Biles at the World Champions Centre (WCC) in Houston, Texas. Biles, a seven-time Olympic champion and a true icon in the sport, has been an inspiration to young gymnasts worldwide. Sharing the training space with her was an unreal experience for the rising star Sumanasekera.

Sumanasekera a talented gymnast in her own right.

According to olympics.com, while reflecting on training with Biles, Sumanasekera gave great respect to the gymnastics legend. She described Biles as the “most down to earth person” and praised her for being supportive, sweet, and always cheering for her teammates. Sumanasekera also gushed about how unreal it felt to train next to the best gymnast in the world and expressed her respect for the iconic Biles. Even though she is part of an elite group, Sumanasekera has proven herself to be a talented gymnast in her own right.

With her impressive junior career, she made her first senior International appearance at the Pan American Gymnastics Championships in 2023, where she emerged as the women’s all-around champion. Sumanasekera expressed her excitement about the experience and her satisfaction with her performance. “It was so much fun. I didn’t really know what to expect because it was my first international meet as a senior.” “I just wanted to go out there and hit all my routines and that’s what I did. So, I was just very happy with how I performed and the outcome.” The U.S. Classic is a prominent summer gymnastics competition open only to the best American artistic gymnasts. As a qualifier for the upcoming competition, this annual meet acts as a significant first step toward the Nationals.

Preparing for the U.S. Classic

Both the U.S. Classic and the U.S. Olympic Trials are crucial in determining which gymnasts will represent the nation on the Olympic squad during the Olympic years. Speaking of her bright future goals, Sumanasekera is preparing for the U.S. Classic, which will take place in the Chicagoland vicinity in August. She plans to showcase several upgraded elements, including a double-double on-the-floor exercise.

Although she has faced many challenges, such as injuries and setbacks, Sumanasekera remains determined to push through and achieve her goals. “The double-double we’re going to put in because I’ve had it for a long time,” Sumanasekera stated. “We were ready to put it in for Winter Cup. But, you know, getting injured was pretty, pretty hard. So, I’m excited to put that in for Classics, and I’m ready to complete it.”

Sumanasekera’s journey and Biles as her idol show the immense influence that Biles has on young gymnasts. Biles’ incredible legacy continues to inspire athletes like Sumanasekera, who hopes to follow in her footsteps and achieve greatness. Although Biles is on a hiatus from gymnastics in 2021 due to mental health issues, her return to training has sparked anticipation and excitement among fans and fellow gymnasts.

Read more: Amidst Simone Biles Silence, Jordan Chiles Is All Set for Paris Olympics

While Biles’ has been very lowkey about her sports endeavors, her impact on the gymnastics world is undeniable. She has left a lasting legacy and has paved the way for future generations of gymnasts. As young athletes like Tiana Sumanasekera continue to strive for greatness, Biles’ remarkable journey serves as a constant reminder that with dedication, hard work, and the right support, dreams can become a reality.

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