ROCHESTER, Mich. – Freshman Ajjuub Ezzat broke the Finnish national record in the 100-meter long-course (LCM) backstroke at the Central Zone Speedo Sectionals, qualifying him for the 2026 European Aquatics Championships this summer.

The meet, sanctioned by USA Swimming and Indiana Swimming, took place March 26-29 at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis – the same venue where Oakland competed in the Horizon League Championships last month. To participate, all athletes had to meet the sectional time standards during the qualifying period, which ran from Jan. 1, 2025, through the entry deadline. 

In his first year competing for the Black and Gold, Ezzat was a member of two conference championship relay teams that set school and league records: the 200 free relay (1:17.16) and the 400 medley relay (3:06.92). He was also named Horizon League champion in the 200 back and finished as runner-up in both the 200 medley relay and 100 back, setting a school record in the 100 back (46.27).

Beyond his championship performances, the freshman recorded 17 top-three finishes during the regular season and represented his home country of Finland at three additional meets: the World Aquatics World Cup, the European Aquatics Championships, and the Finnish National Championships.

At the Speedo Sectionals, Ezzat competed in the 50, 100, and 200 LCM backstroke events. On Thursday, the freshman opened the meet by winning the 200 back final in 2:01.10. Friday featured the 50 back, where he placed second, and on Saturday, he claimed another victory in the 100 back with a time of 55.48. Each swim was a personal best for the Finnish backstroker in long-course meters.

His 100 backstroke time broke the previous Finnish record of 55.75, set by Ronny Brännkärr at the Swim Open Stockholm in Stockholm, Sweden, last April, where Brännkärr placed sixth in the finals. Ezzat's 100- and 200-backstroke performances qualify him to compete at this year's European Aquatics Championships, which will be held in Paris, France. Swimming is scheduled from August 10-16 at the Olympic Aquatic Centre.

Ezzat's qualifying races can be viewed on the IU Natatorium's YouTube channel, with full results available on the IU Natatorium's 2026 Speedo Sectionals page. More information on the 2026 European Aquatics Championships schedule can be found on the event's official website.

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