Bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto has raised questions about Samson Dauda burning himself out with too many contests. In a recent Rx Muscle YouTube video, Aceto discussed whether Dauda’s activity will hurt him in the future and scrutinized his conditioning level.
It’s been a non-stop schedule of bodybuilding action for Samson Dauda, whose shape, muscle fullness, and conditioning only seem to improve from show to show. In 2022, Dauda earned sixth place in his Mr. Olympia debut. Weeks after the eye-opening performance, he shocked the world, having dispatched Nick Walker in the finals at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
Dauda’s success in the Open class continued last year when he returned to claim third place in his sophomore appearance on the 2023 Mr. Olympia stage. Trailing behind the new champ Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan, Dauda has never been more committed to the sport. He followed up his major performance on the Olympia stage with consecutive victories at the 2023 Romania Muscle Fest Pro and the EVLS Prague Pro.
Yet, Dauda still hasn’t taken his foot off the gas pedal. He announced his participation in the nearing 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and the Arnold Classic UK later this year. In light of his momentum, Aceto, an expert in the sport, assessed whether or not Dauda might encounter burnout in the near future.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Chris Aceto Questions If ‘Wrecking Ball’ Samson Dauda Has ‘Burn Out’ 6 Weeks from 2024 Arnold Classic
While breaks are important for active bodybuilders, Aceto doesn’t see Samson Dauda burning out ‘on the horizon.’
I think a break is important and rest is important but having said all that, it’s amazing that Samson Dauda is just you know, a wrecking machine, a wrecking ball in terms of the number of shows that he’s done in the last, really, you can go back to frankly when Rafael Brandao beat him in Romania or one of those shows. He was just getting bigger at those shows.”
“But he’s just done so many shows since then and he has continuously gotten bigger and bigger and bigger at each show. We’re waiting for him to burn out, but I don’t see that on the horizon. I don’t follow too many people’s updates pictures, but Rx Muscle just posted an update of him today. He looked really impressive, really impressive.”
According to Aceto, Samson Dauda’s latest update on social media was more impressive than the look he brought to the 2023 Olympia stage.
“He looks leaner here than he did at the Olympia,” said Aceto. “No, he’s leaner. He’s better here than he was on stage at the Olympia, without a doubt.”
Aside from Hadi Choopan who is known for his shredded conditioning, Aceto suggests that bodybuilders must rest their bodies if they come into a show ‘bone to the bone peeled.’ He added that Dauda has yet to showcase such conditioning levels.
“Once, you know, when you are really bone to the bone peeled, take Hadi out of the equation. But for a lot of people, when you’re bone to the bone peeled, after that you need a break. You just can’t. You know what I mean. You just can’t hold on. Your body won’t hold on.”
“I don’t think he’s been peeled, but he’s looked tremendous, outstanding from top to bottom but I don’t think there’s much argument that he hasn’t been like lights out condition.”
As for contest burnout, Aceto made it clear that Dauda hasn’t dieted hard enough to reach that point.
“So there’s always some type of reserve, you know what I mean. The backstory is that even when there’s reserve to the muscle, even if you’ve dieted hard, you’re still not burnt out.
There’s still more gas in the tank. Whereas if we saw him you know to the bone, after that it’s like okay, I’m fried I can’t go another show three weeks after this.”
Andrew Jacked, who is trained by Chris Aceto and Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis, announced his withdrawal from the Arnold Classic Ohio and UK events due to factors that required his attention. Jacked hadn’t taken a break from competing since earning his Pro card in 2022 at the Arnold Classic Amateur.
There are less than two months until the highly anticipated Arnold Classic, which will feature Dauda and Choopan squaring off for gold. Whoever emerges victorious will solidify their standing as the top threat to Derek Lunsford’s reign in October.
You can watch the full video from the Rx Muscle YouTube channel below:
Catch comprehensive coverage of the 2024 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analyses, and complete Arnold Classic results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic