Norway's captain Christian O'Sullivan is one of seven players in their 18-man 2023 IHF Men's World Championship squad who are in their 30s.

Petter Øverby (30 years old), Erik Toft (30), Harald Reinkind (30), Sebastian Barthold (31), Magnus Gullerud (31) and Kristian Bjørnsen (34) make up the remainder of the '30 club'.

According to O'Sullivan, though, it's the ideal age to compete, even with the constant competition from the younger generation coming through and on show at the 2023 IHF Men's World Championship.

"When you're over 30 in handball, you're regarded as old, but I think around 30 is when you're in your prime," said O'Sullivan to ihf.info in Krakow.

"But there are really, really good teams this year with a lot of young players. A lot of teams have had huge changes with good young players replacing older good players, and you now see a lot of really, really good players in their early 20s.

"Countries do really good work with their youth and junior teams with better players a little before their time than we saw before.

"There are not that many talents at 18-20 years old who can have a huge part to play in their national teams, but in a lot of countries now we see them; young players taking their spots in the national teams, earning them by playing really, really well."

O'Sullivan is appearing in his fourth consecutive IHF Men's World Championship, with 27 appearances and 45 goals at the 2017, 2019, and 2021 editions plus the 2023 edition currently underway in Poland and Sweden.

The centre back made his senior national team debut in July 2012 and currently sits on 162 appearances with them, so what keeps him on top, able to continue performing at the highest global level?

"One of the main aspects now is recovery; being able to do everything the right way after a match to be able to compete at the highest level two days after," explains the SC Magdeburg player.

"Even in the past few years, there's been a huge difference in recovery in regards to the stuff you put in your body. I see it both at the club and national level.

"He could get away with a lot more," jokes O'Sullivan about what his 18-year-old could put in his body. 

"He was eating a little less healthy, but now that I'm getting a little older, I'm definitely more conscious of what I put in my body and trying to regenerate the best way possible.

"You try to maximise everything to be ready for the next match two days later, and even though it's hard for the body, if you do things the right way, you're able to perform at a higher level in these three weeks."

A greater understanding of the importance of mental health for athletes has led to the topic being openly talked about in the locker room and in public, with support and help where needed.

"Also, now, almost every team does some mental work before championships," adds O'Sullivan. "Goals are set by teams, how they are supposed to play and how they should feel after a win or after a defeat. 

"You have to work on your mind constantly, because you have ups and downs in the championship. It's a part of the game and you have to cope with both of them."

And with his mind and body in shape, motivation comes easily with a pure love for the game.

"It's fun to play and I'm just enjoying every moment of it," says O'Sullivan with a smile when asked what keeps him going.

"Being able to compete at the highest level with the club and national team and be with them both, there's nothing like it. It's really, really fun and it's a special feeling representing your country.

"As a fan as well, to watch a sport where something happens and quickly changes; the fast pace, a lot of one against one's, something's happening all the time. It's just a fun game to watch and definitely a fun game to play."