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American gymnast Tiana Sumanasekera recently shared her thoughts on a coaching change at Simone Biles' World Champions Center, where she currently trains. WCC's and Biles' former coaches, Cecile Landi and her husband Laurent, departed last year.
Landi departed after she received a major co-head coaching assignment for the gymnastics side from the University of Georgia. Several months after Landi departed, Laurent also followed in his wife's footsteps.
Speaking about this, Sumanasekera shared that the coaching change has an immense effect on her and other gymnasts at the training center. However, she also added that the new coaches, Patrick Kiens and Daymon Jones, bring a lot of knowledge and are quite helpful. She said (via Olympics.com):
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"Of course, for any gymnast, a big coaching change is a big deal. But they’re so knowledgeable with the code of points and artistry. They have a lot to bring to the table, and I think that’s working for us."
During the conversation, Tiana Sumanasekera also talked about her plans and shared that her immediate goal is to make it to the US team for the World Championships later this year. This comes just a few days before her competition at the Pan American Gymnastics Championships 2025, where she will compete alongside Hezly Rivera.
UCLA Bruins head coach Junelle McDonald heaps praise on Tiana Sumanasekera
UCLA Bruins' gymnastics head coach Junelle McDonald shared her thoughts on the qualities that Tiana Sumanasekera brings to the table after the latter signed to compete for her program.
McDonald shared that Sumanasekera has immense motivation to compete and do well, which will be a big help in the all-around side of the team. Additionally, McDonald also mentioned that she hopes that the 17-year-old can be a leader for the team in the future. She said (via uclabruins.com):
"Tiana has an incredible artistic style and a world-class skill set in her gymnastics. She is an incredibly determined and motivated competitor who will make an immediate all-around impact on our team. With her positive and kind demeanor and her extensive competition experience, Tiana will be an incredible Bruin teammate and leader for us in the years to come."
Sumanasekera, a three-time Pan American Championships gold medalist, will be starting off her collegiate season with the Bruins in the 2026 season. Several other gymnasts, such as Nola Matthews and Jordis Eichman have also been roped in by Junelle McDonald's side.
