Raymond Brown had just committed his second straight foul in his shot put qualifying series inside Glasgow's Hampden Park.

It was not looking like it would be a happy return to the Commonwealth Games for the 26 year-old, who qualified for the final, four years ago in Delhi.

Already qualified for today's medal round, O'Dayne Richards, who hurled the put 20.24m, for the second best mark in qualifying, walked across to his countryman; a hand on his shoulder, a word of encouragement in his ear.

"Come on Raymond, you have this."

Jamaica's two shot putters in Glasgow are at the forefront of a tide of promise and development that is sweeping across the athletics programme of a country that is more celebrated for its explosiveness in the sprints.

Brown, galvanised by his comrade's uplifting, found enough in his last attempt,18.11m; way off his best, but it will do, as he booked his spot in the final for another shot at a medal.

The pair are well aware that they are flying under the radar, away from the flashing cameras and loud cheers that greet everyone in a golden Jamaican track vest on the track, but determined to make their mark.

"The standard of throwing is lifting slowly but surely in Jamaica and we the throwers are going to work until we are impossible to be ignored," said Richards, who walks into this championships with a big reputation.

Richards' throw is the best by a Jamaican at the Commonwealth Games and was the second best in the history of Commonwealth Games shot put qualifying, better only by Tom Walsh's (New Zealand) games record hurl of 21.24m yesterday.

He currently has a personal best of 21.11 achieved earlier this year at the Jamaica Invitational.

"That throw started from September last year in preparation and my experiences throughout the year have taught me a lot as well so what you saw here today was the polished product," added Richards a computing student at the University of Technology.

Brown was thankful for his friend's timely words and is looking to make the most of his opportunity.

- A.L.