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Elizabeth Tkachenko
Israeli-American ice dancer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Elizabeth Tkachenko (Hebrew: אליזבת טקצ'נקו; born February 21, 2006) is an Israeli–American ice dancer who currently represents Israel. 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.
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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.[2] “We know and understand each other extremely well,” said Tkachenko. “For example, when one of us is tired or moody, the other already knows how to deal with it and how to be supportive. There are no secrets between us, we tell each other everything. We also physically feel each other very well since after so many years we have gotten used to how the other moves. Skating together feels satisfying; it’s like walking for us, completely natural.”[1]
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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]
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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
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Competitive highlights
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov (for Israel)
Ice dance with Alexei Kiliakov (for the United States)
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References
External links
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