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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 can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition isn't limited to winning matches encompassing setting new standards within snooker.

Today, 35 years later, he has surpassed the accomplishments of those he admired and during this week's UK Championship, a competition where he maintains the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

In professional sports, having just one player of that age is impressive enough, but O'Sullivan's milestone signifies that three of the top six global competitors are now in their sixth decade.

The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, who like O'Sullivan became professionals in 1992, also celebrated reaching fifty recently.

However, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in snooker. The seven-time world champion, who shares the distinction with O'Sullivan for most world championships, claimed his final professional tournament at 36, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, though, stubbornly refuse fading away. Here we explore why three 50-year-olds remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the key difference across eras is psychological.

"I always blamed my form when losing, rather than retraining my mind," he stated. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven that's not true. Everything is psychological… you can compete longer than expected."

The Rocket's approach has been influenced through working with a mental coach, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. During a recent film, his documentary, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, without doubting myself?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger negative expectations," Peters responds. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' I discourage that. To maintain success, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that he feels "acceptable," adding: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I appreciate where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be physically demanding, success still relies on physical traits usually benefiting younger competitors.

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

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

The Welsh player considered vision correction delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, primarily since he continues winning.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

A vision specialist, training professionals, noted that without conditions such as cataracts, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"Everyone, after thirty-five, maybe early 40s, experience the eye lens stiffening," she explained.

"But our minds adjust to challenges throughout life, even into old age.

"Yet, should eyesight isn't the issue, other physical aspects may fail."

"In time in precision sports, your physique betrays your intentions," Steve noted.

"Your cue action doesn't perform as required. The first symptom I felt was that although I aimed straight, the speed was off.

"Delivery weight is the critical factor and there's no solution. It's inevitable."

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

"He avoids alcohol, eats healthily," commented an ex-winner. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he incorporates a pre-match meal, 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 but plans setting up equipment for renewed motivation.

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect as you older is training. 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, mentioned recently he struggles "to practice regularly".

"But I believe that's natural," John added. "As you age, focus changes."

John considered reducing his schedule yet limited by the ranking system, where major event qualification depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he said. "It can harm mental health trying to play all these events."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his tournament appearances since relocating abroad. The UK Championship marks his first domestic competition this season.

But none appear ready to stop playing. Like in other sports where great competitors such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it makes others wonder why not the others?" commented an analyst. "I believe they've inspired one another."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest Triple Crown win this year, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "need to improve despite my age failing eyesight, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's world title, rarely have players risen to control the tour. Exemplified by this season's results, with multiple champions claimed initial tournaments.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, with innate ability rarely seen, remembered from his teenage appearance on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, was obvious instantly," he said, observing the teen potting balls quickly to win prizes including a fax machine.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that winning tournaments "isn't everything."

Yet, he has suggested previously that droughts help maintain motivation.

Almost two years since his last ranking title, but Davis believes this birthday could motivate him.

"Perhaps this milestone is the spark Ronnie needs to show his skill," said Davis. "Everyone knows his genius, but Ronnie enjoys astonishing people.

"Should he claim this tournament, or the worlds, it would amaze the crowd… That would be a historic feat."