Maria Ivanovna Monko (; born 26 November 1990) is a Russian former competitive ice dancer. With Ilia Tkachenko, she is the 2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final champion.
Personal life Maria Monko is the elder sister of Ksenia Monko, who has also competed internationally in ice dancing.
Career Early in her career, Monko competed with Alexander Bortsov on the national level. She trained mainly in Kirov and then briefly in Rostov-on-Don.
Around late August 2006, Monko began training with Ilia Tkachenko in Odintsovo under Alexei Gorshkov. They won the silver medal at the 2007 Russian Junior Championships and placed fifth at the 2007 World Junior Championships.
In the 2007–08 season, Monko/Tkachenko won a pair of medals on the Junior Grand Prix series and qualified for the JGP Final where they took gold. They finished fourth at the 2008 World Junior Championships after Monko fell on twizzles in both the original and free dance.
For the 2008–09 season, Monko/Tkachenko received two senior Grand Prix assignments, 2008 Skate America and 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard, and prepared new programs. They withdrew, however, from both events. Their partnership ended later in 2008.
Programs (with Tkachenko)
Season Original dance Free dance Exhibition 2007–2008 I'm Going Out on the Street () Song of the Spirit by Karl Jenkins 2006–2007 Tango Passion by Astor Piazzolla Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack)
Competitive highlights
With Tkachenko Results International Event 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 GP Skate America WD GP Trophée Bompard WD International: Junior World Junior Champ. 5th 4th JGP Final 1st JGP Austria 2nd JGP Great Britain 1st National Russian Junior Champ. 2nd 2nd GP = Grand Prix; JGP = Junior Grand Prix
With Bortsov Event 2003–04 2005–06 Russian Championships 9th 10th
References
External links
Maria Monko / Ilia Tkachenko at Tracings