Samson Dauda, also known as ‘The Nigerian Lion,’ made history in October 2024 when he claimed his first-ever Mr. Olympia title. His win cemented his legacy in the sport of bodybuilding and positioned him as one of the most dominant forces in the Men’s Open division.
However, rather than taking the year off to bask in his victory, Samson Dauda has already set his sights on the 2025 Arnold Classic.
In an athlete seminar following his Olympia win, Samson Dauda emphasized that he is “never going to be a 1-show guy” and revealed his plans to compete at the Arnold Classic in March, where the top prize is a staggering $500,000.
Samson Dauda’s Journey to Becoming Mr. Olympia
Samson Dauda’s path to the 2024 Mr. Olympia title was filled with bold decisions and calculated risks.
After years of hard work, he finally realized his lifelong dream, becoming the 19th man to lift the prestigious Sandow trophy.
At the Olympia, Samson Dauda’s impressive combination of size, aesthetics, and conditioning overpowered a fiercely competitive lineup, allowing him to defeat runner-up Hadi Choopan and third-place finisher Derek Lunsford.
“This weekend I achieved my life dream of becoming Mr. Olympia… and the best bodybuilder in the world,” Dauda shared after his monumental win.
But Dauda’s road to the top wasn’t without challenges. In the lead-up to the Olympia, he made some critical changes. He parted ways with long-time coach Milos Sarcev and decided to work with his wife, Marlena Dauda, as his coach.
He nearly relocated to Kuwait to train at the renowned Oxygen Gyms but ultimately chose to remain closer to home.
In a surprising move, Samson Dauda also competed at the 2024 Tsunami Pro just two weeks before the Olympia, securing victory and fine-tuning his physique for the biggest stage.
All of these decisions paid off, culminating in his first Olympia title.
Related: Samson Dauda Wins 2024 Mr. Olympia Title in Historic Victory
Dauda Challenges Choopan and Lunsford for 2025 Arnold Classic
Despite his historic win, Samson Dauda isn’t slowing down. In fact, he’s already looking ahead to his next challenge: the 2025 Arnold Classic.
With $500,000 on the line for the Men’s Open winner, Dauda made it clear that he has no intention of being a “one-show guy” who competes only at the Olympia. Instead, fans can expect to see him battle it out on multiple stages throughout the year.
“I’m never going to be a one-show guy,” Dauda stated confidently. “I’m never going to sit out and just disappear all year and then just only see me at Olympia. I’m always going to travel. I’m always going to do everything I can to give back to the sport that has given me so much.”
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Dauda challenged his top Olympia rivals, Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford, to meet him at the 2025 Arnold Classic in Ohio. He spoke highly of their abilities and acknowledged the intense competition they provided at the Olympia.
“We keep getting closer and that’s all we gotta do,” Dauda said of his rivalry with Choopan and Lunsford. “This year at the Olympia stage, the biggest stage of them all, I finally get past those two guys. Now I say that hunger is still there.”
Related: 2025 Arnold Classic Prize Money
Reflecting on His Olympia Win and People’s Champ Award
In addition to claiming the Mr. Olympia title, Samson Dauda also took home the coveted People’s Champ Award, a fan-voted honor that meant a great deal to him.
As the first British bodybuilder to win the Olympia title since the legendary Dorian Yates in 1997, Samson Dauda’s victory held special significance for him and his fans.
“That really really feels good,” Dauda reflected. “The last Mr. Olympia from the UK is obviously the great Dorian Yates. That was 1997. No one in the UK has ever come close since.”
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Samson Dauda credited his wife and coach, Marlena, for helping him achieve his best-ever condition, revealing that he weighed in at a shredded 305 pounds on the Olympia stage.
“Coming in at 305 pounds absolutely shredded,” Dauda said, highlighting his size and aesthetics. He also noted his ability to pull a vacuum pose—a rare feat for someone of his size—making him a unique and formidable competitor.
Related: Chris Bumstead Reveals His Plan To Help Increase Classic Physique Olympia Prize Money in 2025
Looking Ahead to 2025
As Samson Dauda prepares for the 2025 Arnold Classic, he remains laser-focused on maintaining his position as the top bodybuilder in the world.
With his incredible size, symmetry, and aesthetics, Samson Dauda will undoubtedly be the favorite heading into the competition.
However, his rivals, including Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford, will be looking to reclaim their spots at the top.
While the 2025 Arnold Classic competitors’ list has yet to be announced, one thing is certain: Samson Dauda is ready to take on all challengers.
As he continues to elevate the sport of bodybuilding, fans can expect to see even more from the reigning Mr. Olympia in the year ahead.