Elizabeth Tkachenko
Israeli-American ice dancer (born 2006)
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Elizabeth Tkachenko (Hebrew: אליזבת טקצ'נקו; born February 21, 2006) is a retired Israeli–American ice dancer. With her skating partner, Alexei Kiliakov, she is the 2024 World Junior silver medalist and two-time Israeli national champion (2023, 2025).
Kiliakov and Tkachenko at the 2025 World Championships | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Native name | אליזבת טקצ'נקו | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | February 21, 2006 Rockville, Maryland, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Home town | North Potomac, Maryland, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Figure skating career | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  Israel | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Partner | Alexei Kiliakov | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Coach | Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Skating club | Ice Holon Wheaton FSC | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Began skating | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | August 6, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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At the junior level, Tkachenko/Kiliakov are the 2023 JGP Japan silver medalists.
Personal life
Tkachenko was born on February 21, 2006, in Rockville, Maryland to parents Valery and Oxana who are both from Ukraine.[1] She has a brother, Alexander.
Tkachenko and her skating partner, Alexei Kiliakov, have known each other since they were toddlers. "We understand each other extremely well," said Tkachenko. "If one of us is tired or in a mood, the other knows how to respond and be supportive. There are no secrets. After so many years, we’ve also grown to physically anticipate each other’s movements. Skating together now feels as natural and satisfying as walking."[1]
Career
Early years
Tkachenko began learning how to skate at age three in public sessions. She was later invited to join the Wheaton Ice Skating Academy (WISA), founded by her current coaches, former Russian ice dancers Alexei Kiliakov and Elena Novak, and her brother.[2] Tkachenko teamed up with her current skating partner, Alexei Kiliakov Jr., in 2011.[3]
They decided to switch to competing for Israel prior to the 2021-22 season. “Representing Israel brings more responsibility in a way, because when you receive an opportunity for more international events, you need to be ready as an athlete to show good results.”[1]
2023–24 season
The team had a successful season in their final year competing in the junior ranks. They medaled at both of their individual Junior Grand Prix events (Czech Republic and Italy) and qualified for the 2023-24 Junior Grand Prix Final where they won silver. “We are so happy that our hard work paid off,” said Kiliakov after the free dance. “We did a lot to improve this season. This music is from a contemporary ballet by Christopher Dean about political depression in South America. The music is very beautiful, and we watched the ballet a few times. The costume in the original play is body paint and of course we couldn’t do that, but we tried to get as close to the original as possible.”[4]
Kiliakov and Tkachenko went on to win the silver at the 2024 World Junior Figure Skating Championships and in doing so, became the first Israeli team to win a medal at this event.[5] “It feels great to have won a medal,” said Kiliakov. “This free dance was definitely something special, but it showed us what we are capable of and motivates us to create something new.”[5]
Programs
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov
| Season | Rhythm dance | Free dance | Exhibition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–2026 [6] |
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| 2024–2025 [7] |
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| 2023–2024 [8] |
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| 2022–2023 [9] |
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| 2021–2022 |
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| 2020–2021 [3] |
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| 2019–2020 [10] |
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Competitive highlights
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov (for Israel)
| International[11] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 21–22 | 22–23 | 23–24 | 24–25 | 25-26 |
| World Championships | 26th | ||||
| GP Skate America | 8th | ||||
| CS Golden Spin of Zagreb | 6th | ||||
| NRW Trophy | 2nd | ||||
| Lake Placid IDI | 7th | 8th | 5th | ||
| International: Junior [11] | |||||
| Junior Worlds | 13th | 11th | 2nd | ||
| JGP Final | 2nd | ||||
| JGP Armenia | 1st | ||||
| JGP Czech Republic | 8th | ||||
| JGP Italy | 8th | ||||
| JGP Japan | 2nd | ||||
| Bavarian Open | 3rd | ||||
| Egna Dance Trophy | 3rd | ||||
| Lake Placid I.D.I. | 1st | ||||
| Santa Claus Cup | 1st | ||||
| National[11] | |||||
| Israeli Champ. | 1st | 1st | |||
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov (for the United States)
| International: Junior [11] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Event | 19–20 | 20–21 |
| JGP France | 12th | |
| Lake Placid I.D.I. | 10th | |
| National[11] | ||
| U.S. Champ. | 7th J | 7th J |