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When a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned regarding his snooker idol in 1990, he remarked "he invents shots … few competitors can do that".

This early statement highlighted O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His ambition isn't limited to winning matches to include setting new standards within snooker.

Now, 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 celebrates reaching fifty.

In professional sports, for a single player of that age would be remarkable, yet his half-century signifies that three of the top six global competitors are now in their fifties.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket turned pro in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty this year.

However, such extended careers are not guaranteed in snooker. The seven-time world champion, holding the record with O'Sullivan of seven world titles, claimed his final professional tournament in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, came as a major surprise.

The Class of 92, though, stubbornly refuse fading away. This article examines why three 50-year-olds stay at the top in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, now 68, the primary distinction across eras is psychological.

"I always blamed my form when losing, rather than retraining my mind," he stated. "It seemed like the natural cycle.

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

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped through working with a mental coach, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you activate negative expectations," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' I discourage that. To maintain success, and continue performing, then ignore age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that he feels "acceptable," noting: "I avoid to overburden myself … I enjoy this life stage."

The Body

Snooker may not be physically demanding, winning depends on physical traits that typically favor younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness by jogging, yet difficult to prevent aging effects, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands very well.

"I find it funny. I need spectacles constantly: reading, medium distance, far shots," Williams shared recently.

The Welsh player considered lens replacement surgery delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from brain adaptation, a mental phenomenon.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, noted that without conditions like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to weaker eyesight.

"All people, by your mid-30s, or early forties, experience the eye lens stiffening," she said.

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

"Yet, even if vision remain fine, other physical aspects could decline."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your body fails your intentions," Davis commented.

"Your cue action doesn't perform properly. The initial sign I noticed involved although I aimed straight, the pace was wrong.

"Delivery weight is the critical factor with no easy fix. That will occur."

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

"He avoids alcohol, consumes nutritious food," commented an ex-winner. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he incorporates pre-game nutrition, reportedly sustains energy through extended matches.

And while Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, attributing it to regular exercise, he now admits the weight returned but plans setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect as you older is training. That love for snooker needs to continue," added another expert.

The veteran trio face similar challenges. Higgins, multiple title holder, mentioned recently he struggles "to practice regularly".

"But I believe that's natural," John added. "Getting older, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments but is constrained due to points requirements, where major event qualification rely on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's a balancing act," he explained. "It can harm mental health attempting to attend all these events."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his tournament appearances after moving abroad. This event is his initial home tournament this season.

But none appear ready to retire yet. Like in other sports where great competitors like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic pushed each other to excel, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it makes others wonder why not the others?" said a pundit. "I believe they motivate each other."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent 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."

While China's Zhao Xintong claimed the latest World Championship, few competitors emerged to dominate the season. Exemplified by this season's results, with multiple champions have taken initial tournaments.

But it's difficult competing against Ronnie, with innate ability unmatched in sports, as recalled since his youth on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," noted, observing the teen potting balls quickly securing rewards including a fax machine.

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

However, he has suggested previously that droughts fuel his motivation.

It's been nearly two years since his last ranking title, yet legends think this birthday might inspire him.

"Perhaps that turning 50 provides the impetus Ronnie needs to demonstrate his skill," said Davis. "Everyone knows his talent, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would amaze everyone… That would be a historic feat."