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Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about Steve Davis decades ago, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors possess that ability".

That youthful insight highlighted O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive isn't limited to winning matches encompassing setting new standards in the sport.

Now, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of those he admired and during this week's UK Championship, where he holds the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

In professional sports, having just one 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, yet his half-century signifies that three of the top six world players are now in their sixth decade.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket turned pro over thirty years ago, also celebrated reaching fifty recently.

Yet, such extended careers isn't automatic in this sport. Stephen Hendry, holding the distinction alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, won his last professional tournament at 36, whereas Steve Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, came as an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, however, stubbornly refuse declining. Here we explore why three 50-year-olds remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

For Steve Davis, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction across eras lies in mentality.

"I typically faulted my technique when losing, instead of retraining my mind," he stated. "It felt like inevitable progression.

"These three champions have proven that's not true. Everything is psychological… careers can extend than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped by psychiatrist a mental coach, their partnership starting since 2011. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan inquires: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

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

This guidance Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that he feels "alright," noting: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I enjoy where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, success still relies on bodily attributes that typically favor younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness through running, but it's challenging to avoid aging effects, such as vision decline, something Mark knows intimately.

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

The Welsh player considered vision correction but postponed it multiple times, latest in autumn, mainly because he continues winning.

Mark could be gaining from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

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

"All people, after thirty-five, maybe early 40s, experience reduced lens flexibility," she said.

"However our brains adapt to challenges continuously, even into old age.

"But, should eyesight isn't the issue, bodily factors could decline."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your body fails your mind," Steve noted.

"Your arm doesn't perform as required. The first symptom I noticed was that although I aimed straight, the pace was wrong.

"Shot strength becomes problematic with no easy fix. It's inevitable."

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

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," said a former champion. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he incorporates a pre-match meal, which he claims maintains stamina through extended matches.

Although John Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, attributing it to spin classes, he currently says the weight returned but plans home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect with age is practice. That love for the game must persist," added another expert.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he struggles "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's normal," Higgins continued. "Getting older, focus changes."

John considered reducing his schedule but is constrained due to points requirements, where major event qualification depends on results in lesser events.

"It's challenging," he explained. "Negatively affect mental health attempting to attend all these events."

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his European schedule after moving abroad. This event marks his first home tournament currently.

Yet all three seem prepared to stop playing. Similar to tennis where great competitors such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it makes others wonder why can't they?" said a pundit. "I think they motivate one another."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest major victory at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "must step up despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and bad knees yet they can't win."

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

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, with innate ability rarely seen, remembered from his teenage appearance on a 1992 gameshow.

"His technique, you could immediately see," he said, watching the youngster potting balls quickly securing rewards like outdated technology.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that victories "isn't everything."

However, he has suggested in the past that droughts fuel his motivation.

Almost two years without his last ranking title, but Davis believes this birthday might inspire O'Sullivan.

"Perhaps that turning 50 is the spark Ronnie needs to show his skill," commented the veteran. "We all recognize his genius, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"If he won this tournament, or the worlds, it would stun everyone… Achieving that a historic feat."