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When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned regarding Steve Davis in 1990, his response was "he creates new techniques … not many players possess that ability".

That youthful insight highlighted O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition extends beyond winning matches encompassing setting new standards within snooker.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of those he admired and during the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor is impressive enough, yet his half-century signifies that three of the top six world players have entered their sixth decade.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, who like O'Sullivan became professionals in 1992, similarly marked their 50th birthdays recently.

However, such extended careers isn't automatic in snooker. The seven-time world champion, holding the record alongside Ronnie for most world championships, claimed his final ranking event at 36, whereas Steve Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, came as a major surprise.

The Class of 92, however, continue to resist fading away. This article examines how three veterans stay at the top in professional snooker.

Mental Strength

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the key difference across eras is psychological.

"I always blamed my form for failures, rather than retraining my mind," he stated. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated otherwise. Everything is psychological… you can compete longer beyond predictions."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped through working with a mental coach, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, without doubting myself?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and continue performing, disregard your age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that turning 50 "acceptable," noting: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I appreciate this life stage."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, winning depends on physical traits that typically favor youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit through running, yet difficult to avoid aging effects, such as vision decline, which Williams understands very well.

"I find it funny. I require glasses constantly: reading, medium distance, long distance," Mark stated recently.

The Welsh player considered lens replacement surgery but postponed it multiple times, latest in autumn, primarily since he continues winning.

Williams might benefit from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, noted that without conditions such as cataracts, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"All people, after thirty-five, or early forties, will notice the eye lens stiffening," she said.

"However our minds adjust to challenges continuously, including senior years.

"Yet, should eyesight isn't the issue, bodily factors may fail."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your physique betrays your mind," Davis commented.

"Your arm fails to execute as required. The first symptom I felt involved while alignment was good, the speed was off.

"Delivery weight is the critical factor with no easy fix. It's inevitable."

Ronnie's psychological training coincided with meticulous physical care often stressing the role of diet for his success.

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," commented a former champion. "He appears he's 50!"

Mark similarly realized dietary advantages lately, revealing this year he incorporates pre-game nutrition, which he claims sustains energy during long sessions.

And while Higgins lost significant weight recently, attributing it to regular exercise, he currently says the weight returned though intending setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge with age is practice. That love for the game needs to continue," added another expert.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, multiple title holder, mentioned recently he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's natural," Higgins continued. "Getting older, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments but is constrained by the ranking system, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's a balancing act," he said. "Negatively affect psychological well-being attempting to attend every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his European schedule since relocating to Dubai. The UK Championship is his initial home tournament currently.

But none appear ready to retire yet. Like in other sports where great competitors such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it raises the question why can't they?" said a pundit. "I think they motivate each other."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest Triple Crown win this year, O'Sullivan observed that younger players "must step up despite my age failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and knee problems and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player claimed the latest world title, few competitors risen to control the tour. Exemplified by current outcomes, with multiple champions have taken initial tournaments.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, who possesses innate ability unmatched in sports, remembered from his teenage appearance on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, was obvious instantly," he said, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes like outdated technology.

Ronnie often states that victories "aren't crucial."

However, he has suggested previously that losing streaks fuel his drive.

Almost two years since his last ranking title, yet legends think this birthday could motivate him.

"Who knows that turning 50 is the spark he requires to demonstrate his greatness," commented the veteran. "Everyone knows his genius, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would amaze everyone… That would be an incredible accomplishment."