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When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding his snooker idol in 1990, his response was "he invents shots … not many players can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition isn't limited to mere victory to include setting new standards in the sport.

Now, after three decades, he exceeded the achievements of those he admired while competing in the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

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 and John Higgins, similar to The Rocket became professionals in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

Yet, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, who shares the record alongside Ronnie for most world championships, claimed his final ranking event at 36, whereas Steve Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, came as an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, though, stubbornly refuse fading away. Here we explore how three veterans remain competitive in professional snooker.

The Mind

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

"I always blamed my form for failures, rather than retraining my mind," he explained. "It seemed like the natural cycle.

"These three champions have demonstrated that's not true. It's all mental… you can compete longer than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped through working with a mental coach, their partnership starting over a decade ago. During a recent film, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, without doubting myself?"

"By fixating on years, you trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and continue performing, then ignore age."

Such advice Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that he feels "acceptable," adding: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I appreciate where I am."

The Body

While not an athletic sport, winning depends on bodily attributes usually benefiting younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness by jogging, but it's challenging to avoid other age-related issues, such as vision decline, which Williams understands very well.

"It amuses me. I require glasses constantly: reading, medium distance, long distance," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player considered vision correction delaying it multiple times, latest in autumn, mainly because he continues winning.

Williams might benefit from brain adaptation, a mental phenomenon.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, explained that without conditions such as cataracts, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"Everyone, by your mid-30s, or early forties, experience the eye lens stiffening," she explained.

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

"But, should eyesight isn't the issue, bodily factors may fail."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your body fails your mind," Davis commented.

"Your arm fails to execute as required. The first symptom I noticed involved while alignment was good, the speed was off.

"Delivery weight is the critical factor and there's no solution. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training coincided with careful body management and he frequently emphasizes nutritional importance in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, consumes nutritious food," commented an ex-winner. "He appears he's 50!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits recently, revealing this year he incorporates pre-game nutrition, which he claims maintains stamina through extended matches.

Although John Higgins shed over three stone recently, attributing it to regular exercise, he now admits the weight returned though intending setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect as you older is training. That love for the game needs to continue," added another expert.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt from these difficulties. Higgins, a four-time world champion, mentioned recently he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's natural," Higgins continued. "As you age, 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 said. "It can harm mental health trying to play every tournament."

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his European schedule since relocating to Dubai. The UK Championship marks his first domestic competition this season.

But none 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.

"When one wins, it raises the question why not the others?" commented an analyst. "I believe they've inspired each other."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "must step up because I'm declining failing eyesight, arm issues and bad knees yet they can't win."

Although a Chinese player won this year's World Championship, rarely have players risen to control the season. Exemplified by this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken initial tournaments.

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, who possesses innate ability unmatched in sports, remembered since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, you could immediately see," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes including a fax machine.

Ronnie often states that winning tournaments "aren't crucial."

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

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

"Perhaps that turning 50 provides the impetus Ronnie needs to demonstrate his greatness," said Davis. "Everyone knows his talent, but Ronnie enjoys astonishing people.

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