Édgar Crespo

Studies at Texas Christian University

Edgar Crespo had an outstanding participation at the college level. He received a scholarship as student/athlete to represent Texas Christian University (TCU)'s team, the Horned Frogs. During his time as an athlete/student, he was competing for his university and representing his country at the same time. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (International Marketing and Entrepreneurship Management).

Season 2008-2009

He did not compete. During this year, Crespo focused on his studies and practices to represent Panama from August 2008 to July 2009.

Season 2009-2010

This season was his first year as an official swimmer at Texas Christian University (TCU). During this season, Crespo did not lose any of his individual races (14 - 0) in the 100 and 200 yards breaststroke. He went undefeated against the universities of Utah, BYU, Air Force, UCSD and UNLV. He won two (2) TCU Weekly Award (Prix Week TCU) in October 23, 2009 and January 12, 2010 for his performances during competitions with the team. Also in November 10, 2009 and February 9, 2010, Crespo was recognized as Best Swimmer of the Week of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) for his performance. On February 6, 2010, Crespo broke the record of 100 yards breaststroke from the All-American, Jason Flint, (55.24 in 1996) at the TCU vs. UNLV swim meet, held at the TCU Recreation Center. Crespo imposes a record of 55.01. On February 26, 2010, Crespo became Champion of the Mountain West Conference (MWC Championship) in the 100 yards breaststroke (53.32), imposing a record for TCU. This gold medal represented the seventh (7th) medal won by an athlete in swimming since TCU joined the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in the 2005-2006 season. He competed in the relay 4x50 medley and 4 × 100 medley yards, winning second (2nd) placed on both races. He also competed in the 200 yards breaststroke finishing seventh (7th) place in the finals of that event, and sixth (6th) in the 100 yards butterfly. On March 1, 2010, He received a mentioned as an All-MWC from the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in the 100 butterfly and 100 yards breaststroke. With his 53.32 in the 100 yard breaststroke, Crespo was selected to participate and represent Texas Christian University (TCU) at the 2010 NCAA National Championships (2010 NCAA Championship) in Columbus, Ohio. He became the second athlete since 1997 to participate in the National Championships. In this championship, Crespo placed 27th in the United States in the 100 yards breaststroke.

Season 2010-2011

During this season, he focused more in the 100 and 200 yards breaststroke. Crespo had a record of nine (9) won and one (1) lose. Also, He led the swim team of Texas Christian University (TCU) in won races (9 individually). On January 11, 2011, Crespo was named Athlete of the Week TCU by his performance (won the 100 and 200 yards breaststroke) in a competition against UNLV in Las Vegas. On February 25, 2011, He placed second (2nd) during the Mountain West Conference Championship (MWC Championship) with a time of 53.35 in the 100 yards breaststroke. He competed and placed second (2nd) in the relay 4x50 yards medley, and 4×100 yards medley. He also compited in the 200 yards breaststroke, finishing fourth (4th) place with a time of 1:58.60, breaking the record of Jason Flint (1:59.45) since 1996. On March 1, 2011, He was recognized by the Mountain West Conference (MWC) as an All-MWC in the 100 yards and 200 yards breaststroke as well as in the relay 4×50 yards, and 4×100 yards medley. On March 10, 2011, Crespo was selected (for the second time) to participate and represent Texas Christian University (TCU) at the 2011 NCAA National Swimming Championships (2011 NCAA Championship) in Minesotta, Minneapolis. In this championship, Crespo placed 20th in the 100 yard breaststroke (53.50) and the 30th position in the 200 yards breaststroke (1:57.91 - breaking his own record set during the championship of the Mountain West Conference Championship) in the United States.

Season 2011-2012

This season was his last one as an official swimmer of Texas Christian University (TCU). During this season, Crespo did not lose any of his individual races in 100 and 200 yards breaststroke. He went undefeated against universities such as Notre Dame, Michigan, Wyoming, SMU, and UCSD. He achieved two (2) TCU Athlete of the Week (Athlete of the Week TCU) in October 19, 2011, and January 25, 2012 for his performances during competitions with the team. Also in February 1, 2012, Crespo was recognized by TCU as Scholar-Athlete (student-athlete) of January at Texas Christian University. This award was given for his performance in school and in his sport. On February 15, 2012, Crespo started his last performance as an athlete of Texas Christian University (TCU) in the Conference USA Championship. He achieved the first placed in the 100 yards breaststroke, breaking his record of 53.26 that was established in 2010 (53.32). Also, he won the 200 yards breaststroke, beating his own record of 1:56.30 that was established in 2011 (1:57.91). Crespo also achieved silver medals in the relays 4x50 and 4×100 yards medley (both new TCU record). Also, he got a bronze medal in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:50.06. Edgar Crespo was selected as Swimmer of the Meet at C-USA (Swimmer Conference USA Championship) for his performance during the event.

2006 FINA Youth World Swimming Championships

Aged 16, Crespo took part in the 2006 FINA Youth World Swimming Championships held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He won a bronze medal, the first medal every won by Panama at the Youth World Swimming Championships.

Regional Games

Crespo participated in different Regional Games, such as: Bolivarian Games, Central American Games, Central American and Caribbean Games, South American Games and Pan American Games.

Bolivarian Games

Crespo represented Panama in three Bolivarian Games, winning two gold and three silver medals. He broke the Bolivarian record in the 50 m breaststroke in two different editions of the Bolivarian Games.

2005 Bolivarian Games

He place 6th in the 100 m breaststroke and 7th in the 100 m butterfly during the 2005 Bolivarian Games which were held in Pereira, Colombia.

2009 Bolivarian Games

At the 2009 Bolivarian Games, Crespo was the bearer of the delegation that represented Panama.

During these Bolivarian Games held in Sucre, Bolivia, Crespo won 2 medals: 1 gold medal in the 50 m breaststroke and 1 silver medal in the 100 m breaststroke . Also, he placed 6th in the 200 m breaststroke. During the competition, he broke a record in the 50 m breaststroke.

2013 Bolivarian Games

Again, Crespo was bearer of the delegation that represented Panama during the 2013 Bolivarian Games held in Trujillo, Peru.

Crespo won 3 medals: 1 gold medal in the 50 m breaststroke and 2 silver medals in the 100 m and 200 m breaststroke. During the competition, he broke his own record in the 50 m breaststroke which he set in the last Bolivarian Games.

Central American Games

Crespo has participated in 3 different editions of the Central American Games. He has won multiple medals in different events: 14 gold medals and 5 silver medals, a total of 19 medals in 3 different Central American Games. Since his first appearance at the age of 16 years, he has been undefeated in the 50 m, 100 m and 200 m breaststroke.

2006 Central American Games Panama 2006

In his first participation in a Central American Games held in Panama City, Panama, Crespo won 5 medals: 1 gold and 4 silver medals.

2010 Central American Panama 2010

In 2010, Crespo participated in his second Central American Games held in Panama City, Panama. Crespo took part in 8 different events, winning 7 gold medals and 1 silver medal. Also, he broke multiple records during this edition, including the 50 m and 100 m breaststroke, the 50 m and 100 m butterfly, and the 4 × 100 m medley relay.

2013 Central American Sports Games San Jose 2013

In his third appearance at the Central American Games held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Crespo won 6 gold medals. In this edition, he broke several Central American records: 50 m, 100 m and 200 m breaststroke, and 200 m individual medley. He was appointed as the King of the 2013 Central American Games because he was the athlete with most medals won individually among all participants.

Central American and Caribbean Games

Crespo participated in two editions of the Central American and Caribbean Games and won two gold medals, two silver medal and two bronze medal.

Central American and Caribbean Games Cartagena de Indias 2006

In 2006, Crespo participated in his first Central American and Caribbean Games held in Cartagena, Colombia. He won a 1 bronze medal in the 50 m breaststroke and placed 4th in the 100 m breaststroke. Crespo achieved a great accomplishment during this Games, winning Panama's first medal since 1990.

Central American and Caribbean Games Mayagüez 2010

During this edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Crespo achieved three medals: 2 gold medals, and 1 silver medal. Also, he broke records in the 50 m and 100 m breaststroke. Also, Crespo was recognized to be the first athlete with the most medals for Panama in the Central American and Caribbean Games Mayagüez 2010.

His performance in the twenty-first edition of Central American and Caribbean Games lead him to be identified as the seventy-second athlete with the most medals among all participants of the event, with a total of 3 medals.

Central American and Caribbean Games Veracruz 2014

During this edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Veracruz, Mexico, Crespo achieved two medals: 1 silver medal, and 1 bronce medal. During the first day of competition, Crespo won the bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke. Crespo then swam the 50m breaststroke, breaking his own record from the 2010 Games in the preliminary round. During the final of the 50m breaststroke, he made a mistake, putting him into second place. After the 50m breaststroke final, his record is still standing.

South American Games

Crespo participated in two editions of the South American Games (ODESUR). He won two medals: one silver in 2006 edition, and one bronze in the 2014 edition

South American Games Buenos Aires, 2006

At just 16 years, Crespo participated in his first South American Games (ODESUR) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina winning a silver medal in the 50 m breaststroke.

South American Games Santiago 2014

After 8 years since his last participation in a South American Games (he could not participate in 2010 for study issues in United States), Crespo returned to the podium in Santiago de Chile, Chile, winning a bronze medal in the 100 m breaststroke

Pan American Games

Crespo has represented Panama in 3 different Pan American Games.

Pan American Games Rio de Janeiro 2007

Crespo participated in his first Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the age of 18. He placed 13th in the 100 m breaststroke and 12th in the 200 m breaststroke.

Pan American Games Guadalajara 2011

Crespo returned to compete in the 2011 Pan American Games, which this time was held in Guadalajara, Mexico. Again, he competed in the 100 m breaststroke and 200 m breaststroke. In the 100 m breaststroke, Crespo placed 5th place in the Americas. In the 200 m breaststroke, he placed 9th.

Pan American Games Toronto 2015

Edgar Crespo returned to compete in the 2015 Pan American Games, held in Toronto, Canada. He was chosen as the flag barrier of the delegation by the Panama Olympic Committee. This edition of the PanAm Games, he just competed in the 100m breaststroke. Crespo placed 8th in the final of this event. After his competition, many newspapers in Panama criticized his representation. However, the Panamanian singer, Rubén Blades, praised the performance of Edgar Crespo on his official Facebook page, and criticized the negative responses of different newspapers in Panama. Hours later, Crespo replied to Rubén Blades, in his social media accounts.

Olympics

Edgar Crespo has competed and represented Panama in 2 Summer Olympics Games:

2008 Summer Olympics Games

Edgar Crespo participated in his first Summer Olympics Games in 2008 which were held in Beijing, China. He qualified at 19 years old by a wild card. After his qualification problems and controversies, Crespo attended the Games and competed in the 100 m breaststroke. He participated in the 3rd heat, which he won (second Panamanian to accomplish this achievement), but sadly his time was not fast enough to qualify for the next round (semi-finals). He placed 53rd overall.

2012 Summer Olympic Games

At 24 years old, Edgar Crespo represented Panama in his second Summer Olympics Games, held in London, England. Just like in the last Olympics, Crespo experienced qualifying problems. During the World Swimming Championships 2011 held in Shanghai, China, Crespo achieved the B standard time in the 100 m breaststroke. Also during the Indy Grand Prix swimming competition held in Indianapolis, United States, Crespo got the B standarad time in the 200 m breaststroke. Despite this, to qualify for the Olympics athletes are required to obtain A standard times. Approaching the starting date of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) did not send the invitations to Panama since the Panamanian Federation Swimming (FPN) decided not to use the wild card that allowed the two athletes per country: male and female, to compete regardless if they achieved or did not achieve the A standard times. The Panamanian Federation preferred to go by B standard invitation. This news became sport controversy in Panama because other countries had athletes with B standard times and those countries secured their participation in the games with the wild card. After several weeks of waiting and 2 weeks before the start of the games in London, the Panama Olympic Committee (COP) received the wild card for Crespo to compete in the 100 m breaststroke. Edgar Crespo competed in London 2012 in the 4th heat of the 100 m breaststroke. He placed 35th in the overall ranking.