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Back when a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about Steve Davis in 1990, he remarked "he creates new techniques … not many players can do that".

This early statement highlighted O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive isn't limited to winning matches to include setting new standards within snooker.

Now, 35 years later, he has surpassed the achievements of his heroes and during the ongoing tournament, a competition where he maintains the distinction of being the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan will mark his 50th birthday.

In professional sports, having just one player of that age is impressive enough, yet his half-century 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 became professionals in 1992, similarly marked their 50th birthdays recently.

However, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in this sport. Stephen Hendry, who shares the distinction with O'Sullivan for most world championships, won his last professional tournament at 36, whereas Steve Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, came as a major surprise.

The Class of 92, though, stubbornly refuse declining. Here we explore why three 50-year-olds remain competitive in world snooker.

Mental Strength

For Steve Davis, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction between generations lies in mentality.

"I always blamed my technique when losing, instead of adjusting mentally," he stated. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven that's not true. 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. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan inquires: "What's my potential age, without doubting myself?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. If you want to win, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that turning 50 "alright," adding: "I avoid to overburden myself … I enjoy where I am."

Physical Condition

While not physically demanding, winning depends on physical traits that typically favor youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit through running, yet difficult to avoid aging effects, such as vision decline, something Mark knows intimately.

"I find it funny. I need spectacles constantly: reading, mid-range, long distance," Williams shared recently.

The Welsh player has contemplated vision correction but postponed it repeatedly, most recently in November, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, training professionals, noted that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the mind adapts to weaker eyesight.

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

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

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

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your physique betrays your intentions," Steve noted.

"Your cue action fails to execute as required. The first symptom I felt involved although I aimed straight, the pace was wrong.

"Shot strength is the critical factor and there's no solution. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with meticulous physical care often stressing nutritional importance in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," said an ex-winner. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits lately, disclosing in 2024 he added a pre-match meal, which he claims sustains energy through extended matches.

And while Higgins lost significant weight in 2021, attributing it to regular exercise, he currently says he regained it but plans setting up equipment for renewed motivation.

Driving Force

"The greatest challenge with age is practice. That love for snooker must persist," remarked a commentator.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, mentioned recently he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"But I believe that's normal," Higgins continued. "Getting older, focus changes."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments but is constrained by the ranking system, where tournament entries depends on results in lesser events.

"It's a balancing act," he explained. "Negatively affect mental health trying to play all these events."

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

Yet all three seem prepared to stop playing. Like in other sports where legendary rivals such as the tennis icons motivated one another to greater heights, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it raises the question why not the others?" said a pundit. "I think they've inspired one another."

Absence of New Rivals

Following his most recent Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan observed that new generation "must step up because I'm declining failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and knee problems 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 claimed the first 11 events.

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, with exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, as recalled from his teenage appearance on television.

"His stance, 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 "aren't crucial."

Yet, he has suggested previously that droughts help maintain motivation.

It's been nearly two years without a tournament win, but Davis believes this birthday might inspire O'Sullivan.

"Who knows this milestone provides the impetus Ronnie needs to demonstrate his skill," said Davis. "Everyone knows his talent, and he loves amazing audiences.

"Should he claim this tournament, or the World Championship, it would amaze the crowd… Achieving that an incredible accomplishment."