Samson Dauda WINS 2024 Mr. Olympia (Men’s Open Bodybuilding) Title

The 2024 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open division featured a stacked lineup of 15 elite athletes. Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Samson Dauda emerged as the clear frontrunners during the prejudging round, commanding the final callout and setting the stage for a thrilling battle for the one-of-its-kind golden Sandow trophy.

Although the competition intensified in the Finals with the addition of debutant Martin Fitzwater to the final callout, Dauda’s dominance became undeniable as the show progressed. Not only did Dauda bring his best package ever to the 2024 Olympia stage, but he also showcased incredible conditioning and stage presence.

Dauda ultimately overwhelmed the competition to claim his maiden Olympia crown. The increased prize money ($600,000) and the newly introduced championship ring made his achievement even more memorable, courtesy of Olympia owner Jake Wood.

To top it all off, Dauda also won the People’s Choice award, signifying his popularity with the fans.

The Mr. Olympia title returns to the UK after a 27-year drought. Dauda’s victory marks the end of a long wait since Dorian Yates last held the Sandow trophy for seven consecutive years from 1992 to 1997.

“The Nigerian Lion” had shown he was ready to lift the Sandow trophy when he ripped off his shirt during the 2024 Olympia presser and challenged the entire roster for a head-to-head comparison.

Winning the 2024 Olympia is a big milestone in Dauda’s career as he made some significant changes to his routine this year. He parted ways with his long-time coach, Milos Sarcev, and enlisted his wife, Marlena, as his new coach. Together, they etched their names in bodybuilding history as the first husband-wife athlete-coach duo to win the Mr. Olympia title.

Reflecting on His 2024 Mr. Olympia Victory

Dauda did many things during the year that many considered would end his career or at least hamper his placing in competitions. He ended ties with coach Sarcev and entrusted his wife, Marlena, to get him ready for shows. Dauda then announced a move to Kuwait, which he later canceled. Finally, he did a show in France just two weeks out of the 2024 Olympia, which experts believed could mess with his peak week for the Big O.

Dauda addressed all these doubts in his victory speech:

“I’ve never been someone to march to the beat of everybody else. I tend to just do my own thing. You know what? This whole journey has been exactly that. It has been about coming back to where I started, back to my roots. I’m back to the person who cares the most about me and really wants the best for me. I never thought I was ever gonna make it this far. I came from Nigeria all the way to the UK. I had a lot of people that doubted me all my life. And I’m here right now.”

Background & History

Born on March 11, 1992, in Nigeria, Dauda moved to the United Kingdom and started his athletic career as a rugby player. His teammates, impressed with his genetics, pushed him to pursue bodybuilding. Dauda competed in his first bodybuilding show in 2013, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Dauda made his Olympia debut in 2022, securing a sixth-place finish. He won the Arnold Classic (AC) US in 2023 and rode that momentum to bag the bronze medal at the 2023 Olympia behind Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan.

Although Dauda lost his AC throne to Choopan in 2024, he achieved ultimate redemption at the 2024 Olympia, hoisting the coveted golden Sandow trophy and solidifying his place as the world’s top bodybuilder.

Going Forward

In his victory speech, Dauda clarified that he wouldn’t be just doing one show a year, as has recently been the tradition with Mr. Olympia champions.

“Everybody expects Mr. Olympia and top guys to do just one show a year and show out and disappear all year around. And I’ve always said that isn’t me. I love being on stage. I love competing. I love bodybuilding. Bodybuilding has given me a lot in my life. So, the only thing I can do is give back as hard as I can.”

After this announcement, we might see Dauda compete at the 2025 Arnold Classic against a familiar lineup of top bodybuilders, all vying for the $500,000 winner’s cheque in the second-biggest competition in the sport.

Mr. Olympia Men’s Open Past Winners

Read also: Complete List of Mr. Olympia Champions Since 1965

2024 Mr. Olympia Recap:

Olympia Saturday Night Results

• Mr. Olympia Results
• Classic Physique Results 
• Men’s Physique Results
• Bikini Results

Olympia Friday Night Results

• Men’s 212 Olympia Results
• Figure Olympia Results
• Women’s Physique Olympia Results
• Fitness Olympia Results
• Ms. Olympia Results
• Wellness Results
• Mr. Olympia Prejudging (following Friday Night Finals)*

Saturday Prejudging

• Classic Physique Prejudging Report
• Men’s Physique Prejudging Report
• Bikini Prejudging Report
• Pro Wheelchair (Prejudging & Finals)

Friday Prejudging

• 212 Olympia Prejudging Report
• Fitness Prejudging Report
• Figure Prejudging Report
• Women’s Physique Prejudging Report
• Ms. Olympia Prejudging Report
• Wellness Prejudging Report

2024 Olympia Withdrawals

• Nick Walker Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
• Nathan De Asha Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
• Big Ramy Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
• Tonio Burton Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
• Oleh Kryvyi Out of 2024 212 Mr. Olympia
• Terrence Ruffin Out of 2024 Classic Physique Olympia
• Brandon Hendrickson Out of 2024 Men's Physique Olympia
• Diogo Montenegro Out of 2024 Men's Physique Olympia
• Jennifer Dorie Out of 2024 Bikini Olympia
• Maureen Blanquisco Out of 2024 Bikini Olympia

Fitness Volt congratulates Samson Dauda for winning his maiden Sandow trophy and being an incredible ambassador of the sport!

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