Elizabeth Tkachenko (; 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).
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. 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."
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. Tkachenko teamed up with her current skating partner, Alexei Kiliakov Jr., in 2011.
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.”
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.”
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. “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.”
Programs
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov Season Rhythm dance Free dance Exhibition 2025–2026 Get Ready for This (Orchestral Mix) Men in Black Tribal Dance Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia 2024–2025 Svalutation Rumore Amore No 2023–2024 Oh Yeah Desire The Race Ojos Azules Danzante Vasija de Barro Sikuriadas Thriller
2 Legit 2 Quit I Don't Wanna Fight U Can't Touch This 2022–2023 Ausencia Presidente Run Boy Run Guns for Hire 2021–2022 2 Legit 2 Quit I Don't Wanna Fight U Can't Touch This Dance of the Knights Kissing You 2020–2021 Sparkling Diamonds Come What May Suicide Blonde Never Tear Us Apart What You Need 2019–2020 Beyond My Wildest Dreams One Step Closer The End? Watermark Discombobulate
Competitive highlights
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov (for Israel) International Event 21–22 22–23 23–24 24–25 25-26 World Championships 26th Skate America 8th Golden Spin of Zagreb 6th NRW Trophy 2nd Lake Placid IDI 7th 8th 5th International: Junior Junior Worlds 13th 11th 2nd Final 2nd Armenia 1st Czech Republic 8th Italy 8th Japan 2nd Bavarian Open 3rd Egna Dance Trophy 3rd Lake Placid I.D.I. 1st Santa Claus Cup 1st National Israeli Champ. 1st 1st
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov (for the United States) International: Junior Event 19–20 20–21 France 12th Lake Placid I.D.I. 10th National U.S. Champ. 7th J 7th J
References
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