New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- For Misha Zilberman, following the international badminton calendar has sometimes meant looking beyond the sporting equation and figuring out where he can actually compete.

Visa difficulties have repeatedly complicated the Israeli shuttler's career, particularly around tournaments in Indonesia and Malaysia. But after years of dealing with such hurdles, Zilberman has learnt to work around them without allowing them to become a distraction.

"Normally I'm an athlete and sportsman. I don't go inside the politics," Zilberman said after making his 14th World Championships appearance in New Delhi.

"That's not, let's say, my fight is on court. I'm trying to do my best on court. Off court I just follow the rules."

The iss...