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When a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding his snooker idol in 1990, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

This early statement highlighted O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive isn't limited to mere victory encompassing redefining excellence in the sport.

Now, after three decades, he exceeded the accomplishments of those he admired and during this week's UK Championship, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, 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 multiple top-ranked world players are now in their sixth decade.

Mark Williams and John Higgins, similar to The Rocket became professionals in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

Yet, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in snooker. Stephen Hendry, holding the record with O'Sullivan for most world championships, claimed his final professional tournament in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, came as an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, though, continue to resist declining. This article examines how three veterans stay at the top in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction between generations lies in mentality.

"I typically faulted my technique when losing, rather than retraining my mind," he explained. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"These three champions have proven otherwise. It's all mental… you can compete longer than expected."

The Rocket's approach has been influenced through working with Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated 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 activate self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' I discourage that. To maintain success, and keep delivering, disregard your age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that he feels "alright," adding: "I try not to overburden myself … I enjoy where I am."

Physical Condition

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

Ronnie stays fit through running, but it's challenging to avoid aging effects, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands very well.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles constantly: reading, medium distance, long distance," Williams shared recently.

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

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, noted that provided no eye disease such as cataracts, the mind adapts to weaker eyesight.

"All people, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, will notice the eye lens stiffening," she said.

"However our brains adapt to difficulties throughout life, including senior years.

"Yet, should eyesight remain fine, bodily factors may fail."

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

"Your cue action fails to execute properly. The initial sign I noticed involved while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

"Delivery weight becomes problematic and there's no solution. It's inevitable."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with careful body management often stressing the role of diet in his achievements.

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

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits recently, revealing this year he added a pre-match meal, reportedly sustains energy during long sessions.

And while Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, crediting regular exercise, he now admits he regained it though intending home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

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

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

"But I believe that's natural," John added. "As you age, focus changes."

Higgins has contemplated reducing his schedule but is constrained due to points requirements, where major event qualification depends on performance in smaller competitions.

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

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his tournament appearances since relocating to Dubai. 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 not the others?" commented an analyst. "I think they motivate each other."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest Triple Crown win this year, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "must step up despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player won this year's World Championship, rarely have players risen to control the tour. This is evident current outcomes, with multiple champions have taken the first 11 events.

But it's difficult competing against Ronnie, with exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, as recalled from his teenage appearance on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," he said, observing the teen potting balls quickly to win prizes including a fax machine.

Ronnie often states that winning tournaments "isn't everything."

Yet, he has suggested previously that losing streaks help maintain motivation.

Almost two years without his last ranking title, but Davis believes turning fifty might inspire him.

"Who knows that turning 50 is the spark he requires to demonstrate his skill," said Davis. "We all recognize his talent, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"If he won this tournament, or the World Championship, it would amaze everyone… Achieving that a historic feat."