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When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about Steve Davis decades ago, his response was "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His drive isn't limited to mere victory encompassing redefining excellence within snooker.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of those he admired and during this week's UK Championship, a competition where he maintains the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan will mark his 50th birthday.

In professional sports, for a single 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone means that multiple top-ranked world players have entered their sixth decade.

The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, who like O'Sullivan turned pro over thirty years ago, similarly marked their 50th birthdays recently.

However, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in snooker. Stephen Hendry, holding the distinction alongside Ronnie for most world championships, won his last professional tournament at 36, whereas Steve Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, nearing forty, was considered an unexpected result.

This legendary trio, though, stubbornly refuse declining. Here we explore why three 50-year-olds remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, now 68, the key difference between generations lies in mentality.

"I always blamed my technique when losing, instead of retraining my mind," he stated. "It felt like the natural cycle.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven otherwise. Everything is psychological… you can compete longer than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset has been influenced by psychiatrist a mental coach, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. During a recent film, his documentary, O'Sullivan inquires: "How long can I play, without doubting myself?"

"By fixating on years, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and continue performing, disregard your age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, telling reporters that turning 50 "alright," noting: "I avoid to overburden myself … I appreciate this life stage."

The Body

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

O'Sullivan maintains fitness through running, yet difficult to avoid aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows very well.

"I find it funny. I need spectacles constantly: reading, medium distance, long distance," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player has contemplated vision correction delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, primarily since he keeps succeeding.

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

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, explained that without conditions such as cataracts, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

"All people, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, experience reduced lens flexibility," she said.

"However our minds adjust to difficulties throughout life, even into old age.

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

"Eventually in precision sports, your body fails your mind," Davis commented.

"Your cue action doesn't perform properly. The initial sign I noticed involved while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

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

Ronnie's psychological training paired with meticulous physical care and he frequently emphasizes nutritional importance in his achievements.

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

Mark similarly realized dietary advantages lately, disclosing in 2024 he incorporates pre-game nutrition, which he claims maintains stamina during long sessions.

Although John Higgins lost significant weight recently, crediting spin classes, he currently says the weight returned though intending setting up equipment for renewed motivation.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge with age is training. That love for the game needs to continue," remarked a commentator.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan 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 normal," John added. "As you age, priorities shift."

John considered reducing his schedule yet limited due to points requirements, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's a balancing act," he explained. "It can harm mental health trying to play every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his tournament appearances since relocating abroad. This event marks his first domestic competition this season.

Yet all three seem prepared to stop playing. Like in other sports where great competitors such as the tennis icons 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 one another."

Absence of New Rivals

Following his most recent Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "need to improve despite my age with poor vision, a unreliable arm and bad knees and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's world title, rarely have players risen to control the season. Exemplified by this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken the first 11 events.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, with innate ability unmatched in sports, remembered from his teenage appearance on television.

"His stance, you could immediately see," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes like outdated technology.

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

Yet, he implied in the past that droughts help maintain drive.

Almost two years since a tournament win, yet legends think turning fifty might inspire O'Sullivan.

"Who knows that turning 50 provides the impetus he requires to show his greatness," said Davis. "Everyone knows his genius, and he loves astonishing people.

"Should he claim the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would amaze everyone… Achieving that a historic feat."