The biggest event of the year is almost here and some of the sport’s most legendary figures are assessing top talent from the Men’s Open division. In a recent YouTube video shared on October 4, 2024, bodybuilding icon Lee Haney discussed why he believes Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked deserve to place in the top two at the prestigious show. He also opened up on why he supports a new category in the Open class for shorter competitors like Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, and Hadi Choopan.
When it comes to Open Bodybuilding, Lee Haney knows the ins and outs, having claimed the Mr. Olympia title dominantly for eight consecutive years. He boasted a physique with no weaknesses and the judges took notice of that. Tied with Ronnie Coleman for the all-time wins record, he hasn’t forgotten the willpower, blood, sweat, and tears it took to reach the highest mountaintop our sport has to offer.
The 2024 Mr. Olympia contest returns to Las Vegas, Nevada this year, with a total of 11 bodybuilding divisions squaring off for supremacy. Among those categories is the Men’s Open division, which will showcase monstrous physiques, including the reigning champion Derek Lunsford, former titleholder Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, Andrew Jacked, and more. However, in Lee Haney’s opinion, Dauda and Jacked might have the edge given their stature and balanced physiques.
Lee Haney Wants New Category for Shorter Open Bodybuilders, Says Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked Should Make Top 2 at 2024 Mr. Olympia
Using the term ‘Excalibur,’ Lee Haney believes this embodies athletes who boast well-pleasing physiques with muscle maturity, great lines, shoulders, waist taper, ‘engineered’ with perfection. He credited bodybuilding stars Frank Zane and Lee Labrada for having this quality.
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“In my opinion and the way I view Excalibur is being the best of the best. To have a physique that’s well pleasing everything is where it’s supposed to be, muscle maturity, great lines, shoulder, waist taper, great balance, a thing of beauty, art engineered with perfection.”
“To be an Excalibur doesn’t mean you have to be a tall big guy. Frank Zane in my opinion was the Excalibur, beautiful lines, something that would put everybody in awe of. Again it’s not about size. Lee Labrada was an Excalibur, Lee wasn’t a big guy but everything flowed and fit.”
According to Haney, he believes Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked also have those traits, which he said make up a winning bodybuilding physique.
“I see that same sort of thing when I look at Samson and I look at Andrew Jacked. I like the fact that they have size, great muscle size, but at the same time, they have a beautiful taper that goes along with it.”
When discussing shorter athletes like Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan, he argued that a different category should exist for those body types. If it were up to him, Haney believes the top two should be Dauda and Jacked.
“When you look at physiques like Hadi’s and you look at Derek, they are in a different category. I wouldn’t mind if there was two different categories.
Those guys, with that type of physique is a certain look. They work hard and they should be awarded for their work but at the same time, you can’t have a Samson and an Andrew not be in that top two, I feel.”
He believes the Classic look of Bumstead has helped make the sport more popular. He classified Nick Walker into the same group as Choopan and Lunsford.
“You got Chris Bumstead and people love what they saw in the way of Chris. Chris looks beautiful. People love those lines that sells. That popularizes our sport. But then I just saw a picture of Nick, Nick is in the same category as Hadi and also Derek. So it’s like you have a lot of guys within that category and so, is that what the general public wants to see? Is that what the world of bodybuilding really appreciates? I could really see another category being created.”
“I just don’t agree with where things are now with that always being the package that we end up with,” adds Haney.
Above all else, Haney believes that Mr. Olympia should take into account the total package, including qualities like presentation, symmetry, and muscle maturity.
“You got to look at the total package, the presentation is something that should be a determining factor. Then, symmetry should be a determining factor, then muscle maturity. So all three of those should be scored upon.”
Looking at the physiques of Dauda and Jacked, Haney is convinced they have what it takes to not only win Mr. Olympia, but sport physiques that could help make bodybuilding more accepted and mainstream.
“Balance, presentation, that’s what I look for. That small waist. Nice flaring lats, balanced thighs, balanced calves, and no overshadowing body parts. When you look at Jacked and you look at Samson, I see that in both of their physiques,” he shared.
Stature, presentation, and shape play an enormous factor on the Open Bodybuilding stage, which is why Haney has gotten behind the physiques of Andrew Jacked and Samson Dauda, both of whom sport next-level stature, combined with impressive conditioning levels. Dauda took runner-up to Hadi Choopan twice this year at the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK shows. Then, gambled and won at the recent 2024 Tsunami Pro just weeks before this year’s Olympia. There’s no denying his momentum at this point.
Meanwhile, Jacked turned heads with his super-sized 300-pound physique at the 2024 Texas Pro, where he secured a third victory at the marquee show. But with Choopan, Lunsford, and plenty of other notable threats eager to clash, there’s no telling who will leave the sport’s ultimate proving grounds with their head held high.
Lee Haney, like all of us, is ready to witness bodybuilding history for the event’s 60th anniversary. Don’t miss live coverage of prejudging and the finals from October 11-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada!
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Watch the full video from the Ron Harris Muscle YouTube channel below:
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