Jamaica's O'Dayne Richards - File

GLASGOW, Scotland:

He's been showing signs that he was a top-quality shot put athlete in the making for several years, but Jamaican O'Dayne Richards really took that promise to another level this season.

Richards, who studies at the University of Technology, took silver at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in 2010, before winning gold at the CAC Championships and the World University Games a year later.

He also won gold at the 2013 CAC Championships and competed at the World Championships, as well as the IAAF World Indoor Championships in March.

However, after throwing over 20m in 2012 and 2013, it's this year's 21.11m registered at the Jamaica International Invitational in May, that really established him as Jamaica's top competitor and a possible Glasgow 2014 medal contender in the shot put.

Diamond League debut

Richards, who made his Diamond League debut earlier this season at the Shanghai meet, said he has entered these games with more confidence given his improvements, hinting that there is still a lot more to come, perhaps here in Glasgow.

Richards, who has the three best marks by a Jamaican, is also the second best thrower in the Commonwealth coming into the championships.

"It's a new level of competition, I am very excited and I hope to perform well here," he said.

"My preparations this year have been very good, I've been healthy; no major injuries and I have gone over 21m, which is considered a reputable mark, so it's been a really good year and I think there is more in the bag," Richards noted before referring to the experience gained competing against top throwers such as world leader Joe Kovacs and World Championships gold medal winner Christian Cantwell.

"Competing in the Diamond League was a good experience, it's not like the usual track meets, they have a lot going on. It was a baptism of fire so to speak because a lot of the greats were there, Ryan Whiting, Christian Cantwell and Joe Kovacs who is the new world leader who has gone over 22m and that was a great experience for me," Richards said.