Alexei Kiliakov (; born April 11, 2005) is a retired Israeli-American ice dancer of Russian descent who currently represents Israel. With his skating partner, Elizabeth Tkachenko, he is the 2024 World Junior silver medalist and two-time Israeli national champion (2023, 2025).
Kiliakov was born on April 11, 2005, in Gaithersburg, Maryland to parents Alexei, Sr. and Elena, both ice dance coaches originally from Russia. Kiliakov and his skating partner, Elizabeth Tkachenko, have known each other since they were toddlers. âÂÂWe know and understand each other extremely well,â said Tkachenko. âÂÂFor 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.âÂÂ
Although born in the U.S., Kiliakov and his parents also have Israeli citizenship. Therefore, it was not a difficult choice to represent Israel when teaming up with Tkachenko. âÂÂIt was the right time,â said Kiliakov of the switch. âÂÂRepresenting 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.âÂÂ
While competing for the US, the team placed 12th at their Junior Grand Prix in France in 2019. After the switch to Israel, they placed eighth in both their Junior Grand Prix events during the 2022âÂÂ23 season. The team also finished 13th and 11th at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
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. âÂÂWe are so happy that our hard work paid off,â said Kiliakov after the free dance. âÂÂWe 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.âÂÂ
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. âÂÂIt feels great to have won a medal,â said Kiliakov. âÂÂThis free dance was definitely something special, but it showed us what we are capable of and motivates us to create something new.âÂÂ