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When a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke about Steve Davis decades ago, his response was "he invents shots … few competitors possess that ability".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His ambition extends beyond winning matches to include redefining excellence in the sport.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of his heroes and during this week's UK Championship, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates his 50th birthday.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor is impressive enough, but O'Sullivan's milestone means that multiple top-ranked world players are now in their fifties.

The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket became professionals over thirty years ago, also celebrated their 50th birthdays this year.

Yet, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in this sport. The seven-time world champion, holding the record with O'Sullivan of seven world titles, won his last ranking event at 36, while Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, nearing forty, came as a major surprise.

This legendary trio, however, stubbornly refuse declining. Here we explore how three veterans stay at the top in world snooker.

Mental Strength

According to the legend, now 68, the primary distinction between generations is psychological.

"I typically faulted my form when losing, rather than retraining my mind," he explained. "It felt like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated 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 over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan inquires: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' I discourage that. If you want to win, and keep delivering, disregard your age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that turning 50 "alright," noting: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I enjoy where I am."

Physical Condition

While not physically demanding, success still relies on bodily attributes that typically favor younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness by jogging, but it's challenging to prevent aging effects, such as vision decline, which Williams understands intimately.

"I find it funny. I require glasses for everything: reading, mid-range, far shots," Williams shared this season.

The two-time world champion considered vision correction but postponed it multiple times, latest in autumn, mainly because he continues winning.

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

A vision specialist, training professionals, explained that without conditions like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to weaker eyesight.

"All people, after thirty-five, or early forties, experience the eye lens stiffening," she said.

"However our minds adjust to challenges continuously, including senior years.

"Yet, even if vision remain fine, bodily factors could decline."

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

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

"Shot strength is the critical factor with no easy fix. It's inevitable."

Ronnie's psychological training coincided with careful body management and he frequently emphasizes the role of diet in his achievements.

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

Mark similarly realized dietary advantages recently, disclosing in 2024 he incorporates a pre-match meal, which he claims maintains stamina during long sessions.

And while Higgins shed over three stone recently, attributing it to spin classes, he now admits he regained it though intending home gym installation for renewed motivation.

The Motivation

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

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, multiple title holder, stated in September he finds it hard "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's normal," John added. "As you age, focus changes."

John considered reducing his schedule but is constrained by the ranking system, where major event qualification depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he explained. "It can harm psychological well-being trying to play every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his tournament appearances since relocating to Dubai. This event is his initial domestic competition this season.

Yet all three appear ready to retire yet. Similar to tennis where great competitors such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

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

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "must step up despite my age with poor vision, a unreliable arm and bad knees and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player won this year's world title, few competitors emerged to dominate the season. Exemplified by this season's results, with multiple champions have taken the first 11 events.

But it's difficult competing against Ronnie, who possesses innate ability rarely seen, remembered since his youth on television.

"His stance, was obvious instantly," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes like outdated technology.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that winning tournaments "aren't crucial."

However, he has suggested previously that droughts help maintain drive.

Almost two years without a tournament win, yet legends think this birthday could motivate O'Sullivan.

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

"Should he claim this tournament, or the worlds, it would amaze the crowd… That would be an incredible accomplishment."