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Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about his snooker idol decades ago, 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 winning matches encompassing redefining excellence within snooker.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of those he admired and during the ongoing tournament, where he holds the distinction of being the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan will mark his 50th birthday.

At the elite level, for a single 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone signifies that multiple top-ranked world players have entered their fifties.

The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket turned pro in 1992, similarly marked their 50th birthdays recently.

Yet, such extended careers isn't automatic in this sport. The seven-time world champion, who shares the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, won his last ranking event in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, was considered an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, though, stubbornly refuse fading away. This article examines how three veterans stay at the top in professional snooker.

The Mind

For Steve Davis, now 68, the key difference across eras lies in mentality.

"I always blamed my technique when losing, rather than adjusting mentally," he explained. "It seemed like the natural cycle.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven that's not true. It's all mental… you can compete longer than expected."

The Rocket's approach was shaped through working with Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, without doubting myself?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

Such advice Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that he feels "acceptable," noting: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I enjoy where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, success still relies on physical traits usually benefiting younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness by jogging, yet difficult to prevent other age-related issues, such as vision decline, something Mark knows very well.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles for everything: reading, mid-range, long distance," Williams shared this season.

The two-time world champion has contemplated lens replacement surgery but postponed it multiple times, most recently in November, mainly because he continues winning.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, explained that without conditions such as cataracts, the mind adapts to weaker eyesight.

"Everyone, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, will notice the eye lens stiffening," she explained.

"But our brains adapt to difficulties continuously, even into old age.

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

"Eventually in precision sports, your body fails your mind," Steve noted.

"Your arm doesn't perform properly. The first symptom I noticed involved although I aimed straight, the speed was off.

"Shot strength is the critical factor with no easy fix. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with careful body management often stressing nutritional importance in his achievements.

"He avoids alcohol, consumes nutritious food," commented a former champion. "He appears he's 50!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits lately, 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 regular exercise, he now admits he regained it though intending home gym installation for renewed motivation.

Driving Force

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

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, multiple title holder, mentioned recently he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"But I believe that's natural," Higgins continued. "Getting older, priorities shift."

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 a balancing act," he said. "Negatively affect psychological well-being trying to play all these events."

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

But none seem prepared to retire yet. Similar to tennis where great competitors such as the tennis icons motivated one another to excel, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it makes others wonder why can't they?" said a pundit. "I believe they've inspired each other."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "need to improve despite my age failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and knee problems and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong claimed the latest World Championship, few competitors risen to control the tour. This is evident this season's results, with multiple champions claimed initial tournaments.

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, who possesses exceptional natural talent rarely seen, as recalled since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.

"His technique, was obvious instantly," noted, observing the teen rapidly clearing the table to win prizes including a fax machine.

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

However, he implied previously that losing streaks fuel his drive.

Almost two years since his last ranking title, but Davis believes turning fifty might inspire him.

"Perhaps that turning 50 is the spark Ronnie needs to demonstrate his skill," commented the veteran. "We all recognize his talent, but Ronnie enjoys astonishing people.

"Should he claim the UK Championship, or the World Championship, it would amaze everyone… That would be a historic feat."