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Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about Steve Davis in 1990, his response was "he invents shots … not many players possess that ability".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His ambition isn't limited to winning matches encompassing redefining excellence in the sport.

Today, 35 years later, he exceeded the accomplishments of those he admired while competing in this week's UK Championship, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

At the elite level, having just one player of that age would be remarkable, yet his half-century means that multiple top-ranked global competitors have entered their sixth decade.

The Welsh Potting Machine and John Higgins, similar to The Rocket turned pro over thirty years ago, also celebrated reaching fifty recently.

Yet, such extended careers are not guaranteed in this sport. The seven-time world champion, who shares the distinction with O'Sullivan of seven world titles, claimed his final ranking event at 36, while Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered a major surprise.

The Class of 92, though, continue to resist declining. Here we explore why three 50-year-olds stay at the top in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction across eras lies in mentality.

"I typically faulted my technique for failures, rather than retraining my mind," he explained. "It felt like the natural cycle.

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

The Rocket's approach has been influenced by psychiatrist a mental coach, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan inquires: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger negative expectations," he advises. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' I discourage that. If you want to win, and continue performing, then ignore age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, telling reporters that turning 50 "acceptable," adding: "I try not to overburden myself … I enjoy this life stage."

Physical Condition

While not an athletic sport, success still relies on bodily attributes usually benefiting youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit by jogging, but it's challenging to prevent aging effects, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands very well.

"I find it funny. I require glasses for everything: reading, mid-range, long distance," Mark stated recently.

The two-time world champion has contemplated vision correction but postponed it repeatedly, latest in autumn, primarily since he continues winning.

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

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, explained that provided no eye disease such as cataracts, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

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

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

"But, even if vision isn't the issue, other physical aspects could decline."

"Eventually in precision sports, your physique betrays your intentions," Steve noted.

"Your cue action doesn't perform as required. The initial sign I felt was that while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

"Delivery weight becomes problematic with no easy fix. That will occur."

O'Sullivan's mental work coincided with careful body management and he frequently emphasizes the role of diet in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, consumes nutritious food," commented an ex-winner. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits recently, revealing this year he incorporates pre-game nutrition, which he claims maintains stamina during long sessions.

Although John Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, attributing it to spin classes, he currently says he regained it though intending home gym installation for renewed motivation.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge as you older is training. That love for snooker must persist," added another expert.

The veteran trio face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's natural," Higgins continued. "As you age, focus changes."

John considered skipping some tournaments yet limited due to points requirements, where tournament entries rely on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he said. "It can harm mental health attempting to attend all these events."

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his tournament appearances after moving abroad. The UK Championship is his initial home tournament this season.

Yet all three appear ready to stop playing. Similar to tennis where great competitors like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic pushed each other to excel, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it raises the question why can't they?" said a pundit. "I think they've inspired one another."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent major victory this year, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "need to improve despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

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

But it's difficult competing against Ronnie, who possesses exceptional natural talent rarely seen, remembered from his teenage appearance on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," he said, observing the teen potting balls quickly to win prizes like outdated technology.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that winning tournaments "isn't everything."

However, he implied previously that losing streaks help maintain motivation.

It's been nearly two years without his last ranking title, but Davis believes this birthday could motivate him.

"Who knows that turning 50 provides the impetus Ronnie needs to show his skill," said Davis. "Everyone knows his genius, and he loves amazing audiences.

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