Mel Cooke, STAR Writer

Asafa Powell - ap

On Saturday night the strength of the post-Beijing Olympics fervour was indicated by the hands and sole Jamaican flag that went up as Jamrock played the National Anthem at Ragashanti's Birthday Bash.

But with the country then looking forward to Usain Bolt's return home after his triple gold medal and world record heroics, comedian Ity and birthday man Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart reminded the large audience at Mas Camp, New Kingston, about the former fastest man in the world.Asafa Powell.

"All who sey Asafa," Ity said during the free-flowing fun around the cake-cutting close to 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, and the hands and cheers went up. "A gwaan like him no do great tings fe Jamaica," Ity demanded. "When Asafa did a run de place, 'real big man'."

Ragashanti was not to be left out, speaking about those who declare that "Asafa cyan come back ya. Him let we dung".

"Yu have some dutty fren, yu see dem when tings a gwaan good. When tings get rough yu no see dem!" Ragashanti said, to howls of agreement.

"We big up all Jamaican. We rate all Jamaican whe go Beijing go do tings fe we. So we big up Asafa Powell. Proper respect. Him run de las' leg good," Ragashanti said.

( L - R ) Dr Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart, Ity - file