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Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned regarding Steve Davis decades ago, he remarked "he creates new techniques … not many players can do that".

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

Now, after three decades, he has surpassed the accomplishments of those he admired and during the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor is impressive enough, but O'Sullivan's milestone signifies that multiple top-ranked global competitors have entered their fifties.

Mark Williams and John Higgins, who like O'Sullivan turned pro in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

Yet, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in this sport. The seven-time world champion, holding the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, claimed his final professional tournament at 36, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, came as 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, currently in his sixties, the key difference across eras lies in mentality.

"I typically faulted my technique for failures, rather than adjusting mentally," he explained. "It felt like the natural cycle.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven that's not true. It's all mental… you can compete longer than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset has been influenced by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting since 2011. During a recent film, his documentary, O'Sullivan inquires: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

"By fixating on years, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and keep delivering, disregard your age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that he feels "acceptable," adding: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I enjoy this life stage."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, success still relies on bodily attributes that typically favor younger competitors.

Ronnie stays fit through running, but it's challenging to avoid aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows very well.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles for everything: reading, mid-range, long distance," Williams shared this season.

The two-time world champion has contemplated lens replacement surgery delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a psychological concept.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, noted that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"All people, after thirty-five, or early forties, will notice reduced lens flexibility," she explained.

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

"Yet, even if vision remain fine, other physical aspects could decline."

"Eventually in precision sports, your body fails your mind," Steve noted.

"Your arm doesn't perform properly. The first symptom I noticed was that while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

"Delivery weight becomes problematic and there's no solution. It's inevitable."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with meticulous physical care often stressing the role of diet in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," said an ex-winner. "He appears he's 50!"

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits recently, revealing this year he added a pre-match meal, which he claims maintains stamina during long sessions.

And while Higgins lost significant weight recently, crediting spin classes, he now admits he regained it but plans setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The greatest challenge with age is practice. That passion for the game needs to continue," remarked a commentator.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he struggles "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's natural," Higgins continued. "As you age, priorities shift."

John considered reducing his schedule but is constrained due to points requirements, where major event qualification rely on results in lesser events.

"It's challenging," he said. "Negatively affect mental health attempting to attend every tournament."

Similarly, Ronnie has reduced his European schedule since relocating to Dubai. This event is his initial home tournament this season.

But none appear ready to retire yet. Like in other sports where legendary rivals such as the tennis icons motivated one another to excel, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it makes others wonder why not the others?" said a pundit. "I think they motivate one another."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest Triple Crown win this year, O'Sullivan observed that new generation "need to improve despite my age with poor vision, a unreliable arm 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 tour. This is evident this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken the first 11 events.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, who possesses innate ability unmatched in sports, as recalled since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, you could immediately see," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes like outdated technology.

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

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

It's been nearly two years since a tournament win, yet legends think this birthday might inspire him.

"Perhaps that turning 50 provides the impetus Ronnie needs to demonstrate his skill," commented the veteran. "Everyone knows his talent, and he loves amazing audiences.

"Should he claim the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would stun everyone… Achieving that a historic feat."