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Back when a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned regarding Steve Davis decades ago, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

This early statement revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His drive extends beyond mere victory to include setting new standards within snooker.

Now, 35 years later, he has surpassed 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 will mark his 50th birthday.

At the elite level, for a single player of that age is impressive enough, yet his half-century means that multiple top-ranked global competitors are now in their fifties.

Mark Williams and John Higgins, who like O'Sullivan became professionals in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty this year.

Yet, such extended careers isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, who shares the record with O'Sullivan of seven world titles, claimed his final professional tournament in his mid-thirties, while Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, was considered a major surprise.

The Class of 92, though, continue to resist declining. Here we explore how three veterans remain competitive in professional snooker.

The Mind

For Steve Davis, now 68, the key difference between generations lies in mentality.

"I always blamed my technique when losing, instead of adjusting mentally," he stated. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"These three champions have demonstrated that's not true. Everything is psychological… careers can extend beyond predictions."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped through working with a mental coach, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan inquires: "What's my potential age, without doubting myself?"

"By fixating on years, you activate negative expectations," Peters responds. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and continue performing, then ignore age."

Such advice O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that he feels "alright," adding: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I enjoy where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, success still relies on bodily attributes usually benefiting younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness by jogging, yet difficult to prevent other age-related issues, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands intimately.

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

The two-time world champion has contemplated lens replacement surgery delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, primarily since he continues winning.

Mark could be gaining from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, noted that provided no eye disease such as cataracts, the mind adapts to weaker eyesight.

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

"But our brains adapt to challenges throughout life, including senior years.

"But, even if vision isn't the issue, bodily factors may fail."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your physique betrays your intentions," Davis commented.

"Your cue action fails to execute properly. The initial sign I noticed was that 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 paired with careful body management and he frequently emphasizes nutritional importance in his achievements.

"He avoids alcohol, eats healthily," said an ex-winner. "He appears he's 50!"

Mark similarly realized dietary advantages lately, disclosing in 2024 he added pre-game nutrition, reportedly maintains stamina during long sessions.

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

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect with age is practice. That passion for the game needs to continue," added another expert.

The veteran trio face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he finds it hard "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's normal," John added. "Getting older, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated reducing his schedule but is constrained by the ranking system, where major event qualification rely on results in lesser events.

"It's challenging," he explained. "It can harm mental health attempting to attend every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too has reduced his European schedule since relocating to Dubai. The UK Championship marks his first domestic competition this season.

Yet all three seem prepared 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?" commented an analyst. "I believe they motivate one another."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "must step up because I'm declining failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and knee problems and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player won this year's World Championship, few competitors emerged to dominate the tour. Exemplified by current outcomes, where 11 different winners claimed the first 11 events.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, with innate ability rarely seen, remembered from his teenage appearance on a 1992 gameshow.

"His technique, was obvious instantly," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly securing rewards like outdated technology.

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

Yet, he implied in the past that droughts fuel his drive.

It's been nearly two years without a tournament win, but Davis believes turning fifty could motivate O'Sullivan.

"Perhaps that turning 50 provides the impetus he requires to demonstrate his greatness," commented the veteran. "We all recognize his genius, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would amaze the crowd… Achieving that an incredible accomplishment."