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Back when a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about Steve Davis in 1990, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive extends beyond mere victory to include setting new standards within snooker.

Today, 35 years later, he exceeded the accomplishments of those he admired while competing in the ongoing tournament, where he holds the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

In professional sports, for a single 50-year-old competitor is impressive enough, but O'Sullivan's milestone means that three of the top six global competitors have entered their fifties.

The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket became professionals in 1992, also celebrated reaching fifty recently.

However, such extended careers isn't automatic in this sport. The seven-time world champion, holding the distinction with O'Sullivan of seven world titles, won his last ranking event in his mid-thirties, while Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, though, continue to resist declining. Here we explore why three 50-year-olds remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction between generations is psychological.

"I typically faulted my technique for failures, instead of adjusting mentally," he stated. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven otherwise. It's all mental… careers can extend than expected."

The Rocket's approach has been influenced through working with Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan inquires: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' I discourage that. If you want to win, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

Such advice Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that turning 50 "alright," adding: "I avoid to overburden myself … I appreciate this life stage."

The Body

Snooker may not be physically demanding, success still relies on bodily attributes that typically favor younger competitors.

Ronnie stays fit by jogging, but it's challenging to avoid other age-related issues, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows intimately.

"It amuses me. I require glasses for everything: reading, medium distance, far shots," Williams shared recently.

The Welsh player has contemplated vision correction delaying it repeatedly, most recently in November, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

Zoe Wimshurst, training professionals, explained that without conditions like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"Everyone, after thirty-five, or early forties, experience the eye lens stiffening," she explained.

"But our brains adapt to difficulties continuously, including senior years.

"But, should eyesight isn't the issue, other physical aspects could decline."

"In time in precision sports, your physique betrays your mind," Steve noted.

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

"Shot strength becomes problematic and there's no solution. That will occur."

O'Sullivan's mental work coincided with careful body management often stressing the role of diet for his success.

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," commented an ex-winner. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits recently, disclosing in 2024 he added a pre-match meal, which he claims maintains stamina during long sessions.

And while Higgins lost significant weight in 2021, attributing it to spin classes, he now admits the weight returned but plans home gym installation for renewed motivation.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge as you older is practice. That love for the game must persist," added another expert.

The veteran trio aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he struggles "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's natural," John added. "Getting older, priorities shift."

John considered reducing his schedule yet limited due to points requirements, where tournament entries rely on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he explained. "Negatively affect psychological well-being trying to play every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his European schedule since relocating to Dubai. The UK Championship marks his first domestic competition currently.

Yet all three appear ready to stop playing. Similar to tennis where legendary rivals such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it raises the question why not the others?" said a pundit. "I believe they motivate one another."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "need to improve despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and bad knees and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player won this year's world title, few competitors risen to control the tour. Exemplified by this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken the first 11 events.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, with exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, as recalled since his youth on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," he said, observing the teen rapidly clearing the table to win prizes including a fax machine.

Ronnie often states that victories "isn't everything."

However, he implied previously that droughts fuel his drive.

It's been nearly two years since his last ranking title, but Davis believes this birthday could motivate him.

"Who knows this milestone is the spark he requires to show his skill," commented the veteran. "We all recognize his genius, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"Should he claim this tournament, or the worlds, it would amaze the crowd… Achieving that an incredible accomplishment."