US Gymnastics Star’s Injury Benefits Jordan Chiles’ UCLA as She Announces Big Career News

“I have made the difficult decision to not compete at Classics, so I can focus on healing my ankle as best as possible for US Championships. My ankle is getting better and better by the day, and I have been getting back very well, but Classics was too soon for me to be in full shape, as my ankle set me back a bit.” This was what the US gymnastics star said before the US Classics, pulling out of the meet. Reason? An ankle injury she picked up before the Pan American Games. But this injury has played out in favor of Jordan Chiles’ UCLA.

Taking to her Instagram story, Tiana Sumanasekera announced, “Hi I have decided to join UCLA early and start my college experience. As my ankle is still quite sensitive, I wanted to ensure I get the needed rest and recovery going into my freshman season of college.” Now, while this is great news for Jordan Chiles and UCLA after the heartbreaking result at the NCAA finals, it has also taken a toll on Sumanasekera’s 2025 dreams.

She added on her Instagram story, “So unfortunately, / will not be participating in the World Selection Camp. Although Worlds was my biggest goal this year, I wanted to make the smartest decision for myself I am beyond excited to start my college career and can’t wait for this upcoming season. Go Bruins and see you next year, Elite Gymnastics“. The Senior Women’s World Team Selection Camp will take place from September 29 to October 2, 2025, in Crossville, Tennessee.

This camp is the decisive event to select which gymnasts will represent the United States at the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, scheduled for October 19 to 25, 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Her last Elite gymnastics meet was the US Championships, and that would also be her last of the season.

Jordan Chiles’ coach reacted the Tiana Sumanasekera choosing UCLA

“I am so incredibly excited to announce that I have verbally committed to UCLA on a full athletic scholarship. This process has been amazing to say the least and I am so grateful to have been reached out by so many wonderful programs.” This was a part of her caption of the post where she announced that she would be choosing the Bruins. Jordan Chiles‘ UCLA coach, Janelle McDonald, had her say on the decision.

She said, “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.” Tiana has been a top U.S. senior gymnast, placing eighth in the all-around at the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Championships, earning a bronze on floor in 2024, and finishing third on beam at the 2024 Olympic Trials.

Internationally, she won three golds and a silver at the 2023 Pan American Championships, and as a junior in 2022, she captured multiple medals, including the all-around title at U.S. Championships and four golds at Pan Ams. Most recently, despite the injury, she was there in the 2025 US Championships, where she placed 9th in the all-around with a total score of 105.950.