After Samson Dauda claimed the coveted Sandow trophy at the 2024 Mr. Olympia, there are already talks regarding his future in the sport. In a recent YouTube video shared on November 1, 2024, Shawn Ray suggested Samson Dauda shouldn’t defend his title, emphasizing that it won’t meaningfully add to his legacy.
Samson Dauda was out to prove he was the best in the sport throughout the 2024 bodybuilding season. Despite earning a third-place finish at the 2023 Mr. Olympia and pulling out the win at both the Romania Muscle Fest Pro and the EVLS Prague Pro right after, Dauda continued to test himself on the competitive stage.
Dauda participated in the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK events, ultimately taking runner-up to Hadi Choopan both times. From there, Dauda gambled on himself by competing at the 2024 Tsunami Pro just before the Mr. Olympia. While it was a risky move by Dauda, it proved to be the right decision when he came into the 2024 Mr. Olympia sharper than ever before, which helped him claim victory on the prestigious stage.
Shawn Ray Suggests Samson Dauda Stand Down and Not Defend His Mr. Olympia Title
Samson Dauda immediately revealed that he intends to compete at the 2025 Arnold Classic, feeling adamant he will never be a one-show guy. However, in a recent YouTube video, Shawn Ray thinks Samson Dauda should redirect his focus, feeling there is nowhere to go from here but down.
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!
“Coming from my perspective, I don’t defend the title. That’s just me. There’s nowhere to go but down. There’s nothing more special about being a two-time Mr. Olympia, I think, than being a one-time Mr. Olympia. Big Ramy is Mr. Olympia. He won it twice to validate it” Ray explained.
“I don’t know that another Mr. Olympia title makes it more special.”
Shawn Ray wants Samson Dauda to return to Nigeria as Mr. Olympia to showcase his accomplishments.
“I want him to go back to Nigeria too. To show those guys what an Olympia title looks like, what the Sandow Trophy looks like.”
On top of that, Shawn Ray believes Dauda is taking unnecessary risks by pushing his body to compete when he has already earned the top prize.
“He’s a 300-pound bodybuilder. When you push it like that, you’re putting yourself in harm’s way. He doesn’t have to. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone, he won the ultimate prize.”
While Shawn Ray is adamant that Dauda should retire, other veterans of the sport disagree with that notion. Chris Cormier and Milos Sarcev shared that they believe if Dauda could repeat the look he brought to the 2024 Mr. Olympia, no one would be able to beat him.
IFBB judge Terrick El Guindy also expressed his opinion regarding Samson Dauda’s 2024 Mr. Olympia win. He revealed that Dauda is a formidable Mr. Olympia not only because of his incredible physique but also because of his strong fanbase.
“He came in a little bit tighter. We could see more separation. He is a very formidable Mr. Olympia. He’s got the size, the muscle mass, he’s got the lines, his conditioning is getting better and better. And his back double biceps and back lat spread are becoming a weapon in his favor.”
“In addition to that, Samson Dauda is greatly greatly appreciated by the fans and by everybody by the kind of person he is off the stage,” he shared.
Despite Shawn Ray feeling it isn’t the best decision to defend his title, it seems unlikely that Samson Dauda would voluntarily choose not to compete at the 2025 Mr. Olympia. Time and again, Dauda has proven that his passion for the sport outweighs his need to win.
RELATED: Lee Priest: Samson Dauda Deserved 2024 Mr. Olympia Win; Fitzwater Should’ve Placed 3rd Over Lunsford
To watch the full video, click the link below:
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
