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A rejuvenated Kelsey-Lee Barber has finished second behind Kathryn Mitchell in the women's javelin at the Australian Olympic trials.

Reigning javelin world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber was all smiles after rediscovering her mojo at the Olympic trials.

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Barber went more than 16 months without any competitions after winning the 2019 world title in Doha.

And when she did finally get back into action early this year the results were well below par, prompting Barber and her coach and husband Mike Barber to go searching for answers.

Before Saturday night, Barber had not even managed to break the 58m mark, a world away from her PB of 67.70m set in 2019.

The 29-year-old's best throw of 61.09m at Sydney Olympic Park was still modest by her exalted standards as she finished second behind reigning Commonwealth champ Kathryn Mitchell (63.34m).

But it was still a huge step in the right direction.

"That was so much fun," she said.

"I'm so glad we got a season together and to have a crowd is amazing.

"I know they weren't down the javelin end, but even the atmosphere that was created here tonight, I was really enjoying myself out there.

"I had a series of throws and felt more like myself on the runway.

"I definitely felt at the start of the week that I found a little more mojo and then again out there tonight, so I'm just going to keep building on this."

Barber was a bundle of nerves before Thursday's qualifying round, but was much more relaxed for the final.

"I had a sense of calm coming into the competition tonight," she said.

"This is what I love doing and I just remembered that and was excited to be here.

"Once I hit my warm-up everything fell into place for me and I was ready to throw."