Samson Dauda
{{Short description|Nigerian-British professional bodybuilder}}
{{Infobox bodybuilder
| name = Samson Dauda
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| nickname =The Nigerian Lion
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|03|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}{{cite web|url=https://fitnessvolt.com/samson-dauda-profile/|title=Samson Dauda Profile and Workout Routine – Fitness Volt|website=fitnessvolt.com}}
| weight = {{convert|275|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}–{{convert|330|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| firstproshow = EVLS Prague Showdown
| firstproshowyear = 2018
| bestwin = IFBB Mr. Olympia
| bestwinyear = 2024
| predecessor = Derek Lunsford
| successor =
}}
Samson Dauda (born 11 March 1986) is a Nigerian-British professional bodybuilder who competes in the men's open bodybuilding division in the IFBB Pro League. He is the current Mr. Olympia, having won the title in the 2024 Mr. Olympia competition.{{Cite web |last=Apanpa |first=Olaniyi |date=2024-10-13 |title=Nigerian-born Dauda wins 2024 Mr Olympia, takes home $600,000 |url=https://punchng.com/nigerian-born-dauda-wins-2024-mr-olympia-takes-home-600000/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}
Biography
Samson Dauda was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 11 March 1986.{{cite web |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/t7FgCwyD0tZAhH3gnVavUjTMNgc/appointments |title= Samson DAUDA |language=en |date=27 Oct 2020 |website=company-information.service.gov.uk |publisher=Companies House |access-date=17 Oct 2024}} He moved to the United Kingdom during his teenage years, where he initially focused on playing rugby. His introduction to bodybuilding came through encouragement from his rugby teammates and a gym owner, Chris Jones. After witnessing Phil Heath at the 2013 Mr. Olympia, Dauda shifted his focus to competitive bodybuilding and entered his first bodybuilding competition in April 2014.{{Cite web |last=Wolf |first=Dylan |date=2024-07-08 |title=Samson Dauda Profile & Stats |url=https://generationiron.com/samson-dauda-profile/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network |language=en-US}} Before committing to bodybuilding full-time, Dauda worked in construction and as a care home maintenance worker, eventually deciding to leave his job in 2020 during a show in South Korea to focus entirely on his bodybuilding career.{{Cite web |last=Olujobi |first=Bethel |date=2024-10-14 |title=Road to Gold: Samson Dauda’s journey to Mr. Olympia 2024 |url=https://businessday.ng/news/article/road-to-gold-samson-daudas-journey-to-mr-olympia-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Business Day |language=en-US}}
Samson Dauda earned his IFBB Pro card in 2017 after winning the overall title at the IFBB Amateur Diamond Cup Rome, marking a turning point in his bodybuilding career.{{Cite web |last= |date=2017-10-30 |title=IFBB Diamond Cup Rome discovered new pro elite athletes |url=https://ifbb.com/ifbb-diamond-cup-rome-discovered-new-pro-elite-athletes/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=IFBB |language=en-GB}} The following year, he made his professional debut at the EVLS Prague Showdown in 2018, placing 5th. His first victory as an IFBB Pro athlete came in 2021 at the EVLS Prague Pro, which earned him a qualification for the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition, where he made his debut and finished 6th. In 2023, he won the Arnold Classic US and later improved his standing at the Mr. Olympia, finishing 3rd. In 2024, Samson Dauda won the Mr. Olympia by surpassing Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford, and also claimed the People's Champion title.{{Cite web |last=Beaston |first=Erik |title=Mr. Olympia 2024 Results: Final Info for Samson Dauda, Hadi Choopan, and Top Stars |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10139179-mr-olympia-2024-results-final-info-for-samson-dauda-hadi-choopan-and-top-stars |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} He became the first bodybuilder of Nigerian descent to win the Mr. Olympia competition.{{Cite web |last=Lockridge |first=Roger "Rock" |date=2024-10-13 |title=Samson Dauda Is the New 2024 Mr. Olympia |url=https://www.muscleandfitness.com/flexonline/flex-news/samson-dauda-is-the-new-2024-mr-olympia/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Muscle & Fitness |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ejairu |first=Hope |date=2024-10-14 |title=Meet Samson Dauda, first Nigerian athlete to win Mr Olympia |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/10/meet-samson-dauda-first-nigerian-athlete-to-win-mr-olympia/ |url-status= |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Vanguard}}
Samson Dauda worked with Miloš Šarčev as his coach for 13 professional shows before parting ways in March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Blechman |first=Phil |date=2024-03-07 |title=Samson Dauda and Coach Milos Sarcev Part Ways |url=https://barbend.com/samson-dauda-coach-milos-sarcev-part-ways/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=BarBend |language=en-US}} His wife, Marlena Gustowska, took over as his coach.
Competitive history
- 2014 WABBA World Championships – 2nd (Tall){{Cite web |title=Dauda, Samson |url=https://www.musclememory.com/show.php?a=Dauda,+Samson |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.musclememory.com}}
- 2015 IFBB Amateur Olympia UK – 8th (Over 100 kg){{Cite web |date=2015-11-04 |title=Complete Results of the 2015 Mr. Olympia Amateur UK! - Rising Muscle |url=https://risingmuscle.com/official-results-of-the-2015-amateur-olympia-uk/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=risingmuscle.com |language=en-US}}
- 2015 IFBB British Championships – 3rd (Super heavyweight)
- 2016 IFBB British Championships – 4th (Super heavyweight)
- 2017 IFBB Amateur Arnold Classic Europe – 5th (Over 100 kg)
- 2017 IFBB Amateur Diamond Cup Rome – 1st (Over 90 kg and overall)
- 2018 EVLS Prague Showdown – 5th{{Cite web |date=2023-02-02 |title=Samson Dauda Profile and Workout Routine |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/samson-dauda-profile/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Fitness Volt |language=en-US}}
- 2018 George Farah Classic Pro Italy – 9th
- 2018 IFBB Prague Pro – 5th
- 2018 IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro – 11th{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2018/ifbb_romania_muscle_fest_pro |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2019 IFBB British Grand Prix – 2nd{{Cite web |date=2019-06-30 |title=IFBB 2019 British Grand Prix Results |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/ifbb-2019-british-grand-prix-results/#:~:text=Nathan%20De%20Asha%20made%20a,and%20he%20pulls%20the%20win. |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Fitness Volt |language=en-US}}
- 2019 IFBB Chicago Pro – 7th{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Wings of Strength Chicago Pro |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2019/ifbb_wings_of_strength_chicago_pro/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2019 IFBB Portugal Pro – 5th{{Cite web |date=2019-07-22 |title=IFBB Portugal Pro 2019 Results |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/portugal-pro-2019-results/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Fitness Volt |language=en-US}}
- 2019 IFBB Vancouver Pro – 8th{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Vancouver Pro |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2019/ifbb_vancouver_pro |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2020 IFBB British Grand Prix – 6th{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB British Grand Prix |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2020/ifbb_british_grand_prix |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2020 IFBB Europa Dallas Pro – 5th{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Europa Pro Championships |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2020/ifbb_europa_pro_championships |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2020 IFBB Monsterzym Pro – 2nd{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Monsterzym Pro |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2020/ifbb_monsterzym_pro |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2021 IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro – 2nd{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2021/ifbb_romania_muscle_fest_pro |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2021 IFBB EVLS Prague Pro – 1st{{Cite web |date=2021-11-06 |title=2021 EVLS Prague Pro Results |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/2021-evls-prague-pro-results/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Fitness Volt |language=en-US}}
- 2021 IFBB KO Egypt Pro – 3rd{{Cite web |last=Patuto |first=Greg |date=2021-10-31 |title=2021 KO Pro Egypt Results |url=https://generationiron.com/2021-ko-pro-egypt-results/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network |language=en-US}}
- 2021 IFBB Yamamoto Cup Pro – 3rd{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Yamamoto Cup Pro |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2021/ifbb_yamamoto_cup_pro |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2022 IFBB Arnold Classic US – 4th{{Cite web |last=Gethin |first=Kris |date=2022-03-07 |title=Arnold Classic: 2022 Final Results |url=https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/arnold-classic-2022-results.html |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Bodybuilding.com |language=en}}
- 2021 IFBB Arnold Classic UK – 2nd{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Arnold Classic United Kingdom |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2021/ifbb_arnold_classic_united_kingdom |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2022 IFBB Boston Pro – 4th{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Boston Pro |url=https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2022/ifbb_boston_pro/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=NPC News Online}}
- 2022 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 6th{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=2022 Mr. Olympia Results — Complete Official Scorecards |url=https://barbend.com/2022-mr-olympia-scorecards/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=BarBend |language=en-US}}
- 2023 IFBB Arnold Classic US—1st
- 2023 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 3rd{{Cite web |title=Results {{!}} Olympia Weekend |url=https://mrolympia.com/results |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=mrolympia.com |language=en}}
- 2023 IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro – 1st{{Cite web |title=Contests {{!}} IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro |url=https://barbend.com/2023-romania-muscle-fest-pro-results/|access-date=2024-10-15 |website=barbend.com |language=en}}
- 2023 IFBB EVLS Prague Pro – 1st{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Doug |date=2023-11-18 |title=2023 EVLS Prague Pro Results — Samson Dauda Wins |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/2023-evls-prague-pro-results/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Fitness Volt |language=en-US}}
- 2024 IFBB Arnold Classic US – 2nd{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=Hadi Choopan Wins the 2024 Arnold Classic |url=https://barbend.com/hadi-choopan-wins-the-2024-arnold-classic/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=BarBend |language=en-US}}
- 2024 IFBB Arnold Classic UK – 2nd{{Cite web |date=2024-03-17 |title=Hadi Choopan wins 2024 Arnold Classic UK |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/496314/Hadi-Choopan-wins-2024-Arnold-Classic-UK |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}
- 2024 IFBB Tsunami France Pro – 1st{{Cite web |title=Samson Dauda WINS 2024 Tsunami France Pro |url=https://newsletter.fitnessvolt.com/p/dauda-brett-secured-2025olympia-qualifications|access-date=2024-10-15 |website=fitnessvolt|language=en-US}}
- 2024 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st{{Cite web |date=2024-10-13 |title=2024 Mr. Olympia Bodybuilding Results & Prize Money — Samson Dauda Wins |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/2024-olympia-bodybuilding-results/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Fitness Volt |language=en-US}}
- 2025 IFBB Arnold Classic US – 2nd{{Cite web |date=2025-03-01 |title=2025 Arnold Classic Results|url=https://barbend.com/arnold-classic-results/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=BarBend |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{URL|www.thenigerianlion.com/}}
- [https://www.evolutionofbodybuilding.net/2024-mr-olympia-results-samson-dauda-is-the-new-mr-olympia/ Samson Dauda wins the 2024 Mr. Olympia]
{{s-start}}
{{succession box |
before=Derek Lunsford |
title=Mr. Olympia |
years=2024|
after= —
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Mr. Olympia winners}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dauda, Samson}}
Category:Professional bodybuilders
Category:British male bodybuilders
Category:21st-century American sportsmen