Berlin - Blanka Vlasic required six stitches on her head after a freak accident on Tuesday, but that didn't stop her from qualifying a little later for the high jump final at the world athletics championships.

The Croatian title holder Vlasic reportedly hit her head on a door frame during early morning warmup exercises in her hotel room. Vlasic then took just four jumps in the session to qualify with 1.95m.

"I hit my head, this morning. I required six stitches," she said after qualifying.

In Thursday's final, Vlasic will face German challenger Ariane Friedrich, the season leader with 2.06m. Friedrich has beaten Vlasic in three of the year's four meetings between them. (dpa)