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Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding his snooker idol decades ago, he remarked "he creates new techniques … not many players possess that ability".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition extends beyond winning matches encompassing setting new standards in the sport.

Now, after three decades, he exceeded the accomplishments of those he admired and during this week's UK Championship, where he holds the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

In professional sports, for a single player of that age is impressive enough, yet his half-century means that three of the top six world players are now in their fifties.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, who like O'Sullivan became professionals in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty this year.

However, such extended careers are not guaranteed in snooker. The seven-time world champion, who shares the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, won his last professional tournament in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered a major surprise.

This legendary trio, however, continue to resist fading away. This article examines why three 50-year-olds remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction across eras lies in mentality.

"I typically faulted my form for failures, instead of adjusting mentally," he explained. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven otherwise. Everything is psychological… careers can extend than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan inquires: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. If you want to win, and continue performing, then ignore age."

Such advice O'Sullivan has followed, telling reporters that turning 50 "acceptable," noting: "I try not to overburden myself … I enjoy where I am."

The Body

While not an athletic sport, 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 very well.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles for everything: reading, medium distance, far shots," Mark stated recently.

The Welsh player considered vision correction but postponed it multiple times, latest in autumn, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Williams might benefit from neuroplasticity, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, training professionals, explained that without conditions such as cataracts, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

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

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

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

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

"Your arm doesn't perform properly. The first symptom I felt was that although I aimed straight, the pace was wrong.

"Shot strength becomes problematic and there's no solution. That will occur."

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

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," commented an ex-winner. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits recently, revealing this year he added pre-game nutrition, which he claims sustains energy through extended matches.

And while Higgins lost significant weight in 2021, attributing it to spin classes, he now admits the weight returned but plans home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

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

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, multiple title holder, stated in September he finds it hard "to train consistently".

"But I believe that's natural," Higgins continued. "Getting older, priorities shift."

John considered skipping some tournaments but is constrained by the ranking system, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's a balancing act," he said. "Negatively affect psychological well-being attempting to attend all these events."

Similarly, Ronnie has reduced his European schedule after moving abroad. This event marks his first domestic competition this season.

But none appear ready to stop playing. Similar to tennis where legendary rivals like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic pushed each other to greater heights, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it raises the question why can't they?" said a pundit. "I believe they motivate each other."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "need to improve despite my age with poor vision, a unreliable arm and knee problems and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player won this year's World Championship, few competitors risen to control the tour. This is evident current outcomes, with multiple champions have taken the first 11 events.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, with exceptional natural talent rarely seen, remembered since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, was obvious instantly," noted, observing the teen rapidly clearing the table securing rewards including a fax machine.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that victories "aren't crucial."

Yet, he implied previously that losing streaks help maintain motivation.

Almost two years since a tournament win, but Davis believes turning fifty might inspire O'Sullivan.

"Who knows that turning 50 is the spark he requires to show his skill," said Davis. "We all recognize his talent, and he loves amazing audiences.

"If he won this tournament, or the worlds, it would amaze everyone… That would be a historic feat."