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

That youthful insight highlighted O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive extends beyond mere victory encompassing setting new standards within snooker.

Today, after three decades, he exceeded the achievements of those he admired 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.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone means that multiple top-ranked global competitors have entered their fifties.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket turned pro in 1992, also celebrated their 50th birthdays this year.

Yet, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, holding the record with O'Sullivan for most world championships, won his last professional tournament in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, came as an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, however, stubbornly refuse fading away. Here we explore how three veterans stay at the top in world snooker.

Mental Strength

For Steve Davis, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction across eras is psychological.

"I typically faulted my technique when losing, instead of adjusting mentally," he explained. "It seemed like the natural cycle.

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

The Rocket's approach was shaped by psychiatrist a mental coach, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' I discourage that. To maintain success, and continue performing, disregard your age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that he feels "alright," adding: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I appreciate this life stage."

The Body

While not an athletic sport, winning depends on bodily attributes usually benefiting youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit through running, but it's challenging to prevent aging effects, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands very well.

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

The Welsh player has contemplated lens replacement surgery delaying it repeatedly, most recently in November, primarily since he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, explained that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"All people, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, experience the eye lens stiffening," she said.

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

"Yet, should eyesight remain fine, bodily factors could decline."

"Eventually in games requiring accuracy, your body fails your intentions," Davis commented.

"Your cue action fails to execute as required. The initial sign I felt was that while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

"Shot strength becomes problematic with no easy fix. That will occur."

O'Sullivan's mental work paired with careful body management often stressing nutritional importance for his success.

"He doesn't drink, consumes nutritious food," commented a former champion. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he incorporates a pre-match meal, reportedly maintains stamina through extended matches.

Although John Higgins shed over three stone recently, crediting spin classes, he now admits the weight returned but plans setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge as you older is training. That love for the game must persist," remarked a commentator.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, mentioned recently he finds it hard "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's natural," Higgins continued. "Getting older, focus changes."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments but is constrained due to points requirements, where major event qualification depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's a balancing act," he explained. "Negatively affect psychological well-being attempting to attend every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his tournament appearances since relocating abroad. This event marks his first home tournament currently.

Yet all three seem prepared to stop playing. 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 think they've inspired each other."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan observed that younger players "need to improve despite my age failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and bad knees yet they can't win."

Although a Chinese player won this year's world title, few competitors risen to control the season. This is evident this season's results, with multiple champions have taken the first 11 events.

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, who possesses exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, remembered since his youth on television.

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

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

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

It's been nearly two years since his last ranking title, but Davis believes turning fifty could motivate him.

"Perhaps this milestone provides the impetus he requires to demonstrate his greatness," said Davis. "We all recognize his genius, and he loves astonishing people.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would stun the crowd… That would be a historic feat."