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

This early statement revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition extends beyond winning matches encompassing setting new standards within snooker.

Now, 35 years later, he exceeded the achievements of his heroes while competing in the ongoing tournament, a competition where he maintains records for both the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

In professional sports, having just one 50-year-old competitor is impressive enough, but O'Sullivan's milestone means that three of the top six world players are now in their sixth decade.

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

Yet, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in this sport. The seven-time world champion, who shares the record with O'Sullivan for most world championships, won his last professional tournament in his mid-thirties, while Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered an unexpected result.

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

The Mind

For Steve Davis, currently in his sixties, the key difference across eras lies in mentality.

"I always blamed my technique for failures, rather than retraining my mind," he explained. "It seemed like the natural cycle.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven otherwise. It's all mental… you can compete longer than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, without doubting myself?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger negative expectations," Peters responds. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

Such advice O'Sullivan has followed, telling reporters that turning 50 "alright," noting: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I enjoy where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be physically demanding, success still relies on physical traits usually benefiting youthful players.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness by jogging, but it's challenging to prevent aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows intimately.

"I find it funny. I require glasses constantly: reading, medium distance, long distance," Williams shared recently.

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

Williams might benefit from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, explained that without conditions like cataracts exists, the mind adapts to weaker eyesight.

"Everyone, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, will notice reduced lens flexibility," she said.

"But our brains adapt to difficulties continuously, including senior years.

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

"Eventually in games requiring accuracy, your physique betrays your mind," Steve noted.

"Your arm fails to execute properly. The initial sign I noticed involved while alignment was good, the speed was off.

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

O'Sullivan's mental work coincided with careful body management often stressing the role of diet for his success.

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

Williams also discovered dietary advantages lately, disclosing in 2024 he added a pre-match meal, reportedly sustains energy during long sessions.

And while Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, crediting spin classes, he currently says the weight returned though intending home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The toughest aspect as you older is training. That passion for the game needs to continue," remarked a commentator.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he struggles "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's normal," John added. "As you age, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments but is constrained by the ranking system, where major event qualification rely on performance in smaller competitions.

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

O'Sullivan, too has reduced his tournament appearances since relocating to Dubai. The UK Championship is his initial home tournament currently.

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

"If one succeeds, it raises the question why can't they?" commented an analyst. "I believe 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 bad knees yet they can't win."

Although a Chinese player won this year's World Championship, few competitors emerged to dominate the season. This is evident this season's results, where 11 different winners claimed initial tournaments.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, with innate ability unmatched in sports, as recalled from his teenage appearance on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, was obvious instantly," he said, observing the teen potting balls quickly securing rewards including a fax machine.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that victories "aren't crucial."

However, he implied previously that droughts help maintain motivation.

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

"Who knows that turning 50 provides the impetus he requires to demonstrate his greatness," said Davis. "We all recognize his talent, and he loves amazing audiences.

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