Israeli badminton star, Misha Zilberman stated that he is under no pressure to win another Lagos International Badminton Classics title.

The three-time champion described the current atmosphere in Nigeria as welcome after progressing to the quarterfinals at the ongoing championship in Lagos on Thursday.

He praised the expanded playing area, describing the spacious venue as beneficial to competitors participating in the tournament.

Zilberman said: “Coming back to Nigeria gives me good memories. I like it here, and I’m playing here this year in a bigger area.

“The space is very big and I think that’s very good for the players.

“The weather is good here, not so hot, and the quality of the badminton. I enjoy it.

“I like this place, the tournament. I think the organisation is very good. They are doing their best to take care of the quality.”

Zilberman has featured in about four previous editions, winning three titles across men’s singles and mixed doubles.

He claimed his first Nigerian title in 2014, defeating Austria’s Luka Wraber 2-0, 21-15, 21-12, at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The victory earned him 1,830 dollars in prize money after competing as the tournament’s 49th-ranked player.

Zilberman returned as defending champion in 2015 but suffered a shock Round-of-32 defeat against Nigeria’s Ifraimu Janikam.

Janikam, ranked 511th at the time, stunned the Israeli in a dramatic encounter to end his title defence prematurely.

Zilberman returned in 2017 alongside his mother, Svetlana, and the pair won the mixed doubles title.

The pair defeated Portugal’s Duarte Anjo and Sofia Setim 20-22, 21-16, 21-7 at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall.

In 2018, Zilberman secured his third Lagos title, defeating Malaysia’s Misbun Ramdan Mohmed Misbun 2-1 in the men’s singles final.

In spite of his previous success, Zilberman said his focus was on enjoying the tournament while giving his best against a younger generation.

“Every time I come here, I know that I’m getting older and it’s hard to fight with the young players.

“But still, I come here and I really enjoy playing in this tournament,” he said.

The Israeli, a bronze medallist at the 2022 European Games in Madrid, Spain, said his participation remained competitive in spite of his advancing age.

“I’m not coming here just to participate, but it will be tough, which I think is natural now that I am getting older,” he said.

He acknowledged the increasing strength of younger players but remained determined to compete strongly throughout the tournament.

“Each generation becomes stronger and stronger. I’m here and I will do my best. Hopefully, I can play my best game,” Zilberman said.

He said winning remained his primary objective, while accepting defeat if another competitor ultimately proved superior on court.

“My main goal and intention is to win and if I eventually do, I will be happy.

“If not, I’m also happy that someone played better than me and beat me,” he said.

Zilberman insisted that previous success had not created additional pressure ahead of his quarter-final appearance.

“I am not under any pressure. The younger ones should be under pressure. I’m just enjoying it here,” he said.

Zilberman is scheduled to play his quarter-final on Friday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.