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When a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about his snooker idol in 1990, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

This early statement highlighted O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition extends beyond mere victory to include setting new standards in the sport.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of those he admired while competing in the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor is impressive enough, yet his half-century means that three of the top six world players have entered their fifties.

Mark Williams and John Higgins, similar to The Rocket turned pro over thirty years ago, similarly marked reaching fifty this year.

Yet, such extended careers isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, holding the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, claimed his final ranking event in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered an unexpected result.

This legendary trio, though, stubbornly refuse fading away. This article examines why three 50-year-olds remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

For Steve Davis, now 68, the primary distinction across eras is psychological.

"I typically faulted my form when losing, instead of retraining my mind," he stated. "It felt like the natural cycle.

"These three champions have demonstrated that's not true. It's all mental… careers can extend beyond predictions."

The Rocket's approach was shaped through working with Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated over a decade ago. During a recent film, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and keep delivering, disregard your age."

Such advice Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that he feels "acceptable," noting: "I avoid to overburden myself … I appreciate where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be physically demanding, winning depends on physical traits usually benefiting youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit by jogging, yet difficult to prevent aging effects, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands intimately.

"It amuses me. I require glasses constantly: reading, mid-range, far shots," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player considered vision correction delaying it repeatedly, latest in autumn, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Williams might benefit from neuroplasticity, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, noted that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

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

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

"Yet, even if vision isn't the issue, bodily factors could decline."

"In time in precision sports, your body fails your intentions," Steve noted.

"Your arm fails to execute properly. The first symptom I noticed was that although I aimed straight, the speed was off.

"Delivery weight is the critical factor with no easy fix. It's inevitable."

O'Sullivan's mental work coincided 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!"

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he added a pre-match meal, reportedly sustains energy through extended matches.

Although John Higgins lost significant weight in 2021, attributing it to spin classes, he now admits he regained it but plans setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge with age is training. That love for snooker 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," Higgins continued. "Getting older, priorities shift."

John considered skipping some tournaments but is constrained by the ranking system, where major event qualification rely on results in lesser events.

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

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his European schedule after moving abroad. The UK Championship marks his first domestic competition this season.

But none appear ready to stop playing. Similar to tennis where great competitors like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic motivated one another to excel, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it makes others wonder why can't they?" commented an analyst. "I believe they motivate one another."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan observed that younger players "must step up despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong claimed the latest World Championship, few competitors risen to control the season. This is evident current outcomes, with multiple champions have taken the first 11 events.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, with exceptional natural talent rarely seen, remembered from his teenage appearance on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," he said, watching the youngster rapidly clearing the table securing rewards like outdated technology.

Ronnie often states that victories "isn't everything."

Yet, he has suggested previously that droughts fuel his motivation.

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

"Perhaps that turning 50 is the spark he requires to show his skill," commented the veteran. "Everyone knows his genius, but Ronnie enjoys astonishing people.

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