Tiana Sumanasekera’s dream come true
When Paris 2024 alternate Tiana Sumanasekera landed her beam dismount perfectly earlier this month in her collegiate debut for the UCLA Bruins, she suddenly burst into tears.
It wasn’t the most difficult routine of her life nor – having competed at the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials – the most consequential, but for the 18-year-old, it might have been one of the most meaningful.
“Beam is one of my favourite events, and I’ve always dreamt of sticking my routine in my very first college meet,” Sumanasekera told International Gymnast. “It was my debut beam routine and I’ve been working so hard in the gym, and I feel so confident on beam. So for it to play out the way I’ve dreamt…