Thanks for the post, Naji
I think it becomes more important the older you become. Ronnie is pushing it when it comes to age. No one in snooker has ever played to the standard he currently plays at going into their 40s. You also have Earl, again he is pushing the boundaries of what people feel is within the reach of someone his age. As people click to the idea that why those two have had long successful careers in what's normally a short lived career, more and more will take up healthy lifestyles in an attempt to prolong their careers at the highest possible level in their respective sports.
Whilst I agree pool and snooker are games where technique counts for the majority of the total player, we have players doing what Tiger did in golf. He became a fit, strong guy whilst in his prime and blew the competition away as and when he feels... Ronnie does the same. Down to his fitness levels. If he is in the mood, no one can touch him. Whether its the running that seems to have sorted his head out and put him in the mood more often, or whether the fitness has helped him play world class more times a season we will never know.
I want to add Pidge, we had a great one pocket player, he died recently of liver cancer at a 53ish, he used to come to the pool room with liver machine attached to his body, medicated, and all, and gambled with the best players in the pool room for thousands, and still managed to beat everyone; played from time pool room opens until it closes truthfully it was unbelievable
