Kelsey-Lee Barber ready after COVID-19 isolation cut Australian track championships short

Now the Canberran's itching to unleash her mighty right arm - and plenty of frustration along with her javelin - at the Brisbane Track Classic on Saturday.

It's part of her build up towards the world championships in Oregon and then the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - which form back-to-back events in July and August.

She's already thrown a qualifying distance for both - she just needs to ensure she stays in Australia's top three.

It's why the reigning world champion was so frustrated to miss the nationals - having that title in her back pocket would've secured a spot and been a massive boost.

"It's going to be great. It kind of feels weird that it's the home track now, but I'm really looking forward to it," Barber told The Canberra Times.

"Having missed out last week I'm chomping at the bit to have a throw.

"It was just a funny series of events. I got caught as a close contact with COVID and had to do seven days' isolation, which fell over the national championships.

"I would've been there otherwise. Just one of those things - we're still living in that climate."

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Making her absence from the nationals even harder to take, Barber's loving competing at the moment - something that wasn't always the case last year.

A combination of factors had her not enjoying her craft in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games, where she finished with the bronze.

She had some technical issues with her throw and was physically sore as well - making it an anxious experience and her confidence suffered.

"I'm just enjoying my comps at the moment and I'm enjoying the opportunity to throw, which is a different space from last year," Barber said.

"So I'm really embracing that and just trying to make the most of the season."

Barber was also looking forward to competing in the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo for the Golden Grand Prix on May 8.

It will be in the same stadium where she won an Olympic bronze medal, but this time there will be spectators.

Not only will it allow her to reminisce about her podium finish, but she'll be able to imagine what it would've been like with crowds - something the COVID-19 pandemic prevented.

Barber's settled into life in Brisbane, having made the move to the Banana State as something of a refresh after being in Canberra since 2007.

She won't miss the cold as the ACT prepares for the onset of winter, with both her and her husband and coach Mike loving life.

"I'm really happy in Brisbane. It was a combination of things that Mike and I decided to make the move," Barber said.

"The timing was right given the end of the Olympic cycle. We both just needed a bit of a change of scenery, wanted some fresh eyes on how we could keep progressing and challenging and moving forward.

"I think the climate played a part in it - don't get me wrong I love Canberra ... but I love the heat just a little bit more."

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