The CELSIUS athlete is prepared for the responsibilties of the crown.
Final up to date on November fifteenth, 2024
Within the weeks main as much as the 2024 Olympia, held in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 11-12, 2024, a lot of the excitement was concerning the earlier two Mr. Olympia champions — 2022 winner Hadi Choopan and then-defending champion Derek Lunsford.
Some followers believed Samson Dauda was a contender who might make an influence, however leaving Sin Metropolis with the golden Sandow Trophy was an extended shot. Dauda had already been overwhelmed by Choopan twice on the 2024 Arnold Basic and Arnold Basic UK contests earlier within the yr. Which may be why lots of the 2024 Olympia press convention questions have been directed towards Choopan and Lunsford.
By the top of that press convention, Dauda ensured his presence was recognized by taking off his shirt and calling out different contenders to do the identical in a pre-show posedown.
“I simply felt it in the meanwhile; there was no technique to it,” Dauda informed BarBend in an unique interview. “After some time, throughout the press convention, I used to be trying on the viewers and will see that they have been a bit bored, so I simply determined to take my shirt off and hoped one of many guys would be a part of me.”
Nobody jumped on the probability. Many followers and insiders noticed it as false confidence, and felt Dauda could have eradicated himself from title competition.
Dauda invested a lot of himself into the 2024 Olympia, coaching more durable than ever. Being a CELSIUS-sponsored athlete helped him when he wanted further vitality. Prepping for the Olympia turned a household matter after he stopped working together with his coach, Milos Sarcev, earlier within the yr.
Dauda stated, “The largest distinction was that my spouse [Marlena] coached me for this prep, [which was] additionally the least worrying prep.” This was one other issue that many consultants concluded would price any shot on the gold. Nonetheless, Dauda knew one thing that everybody else didn’t.
With many laborious exercises logged, further CELSIUS on the prepared, and his spouse alongside him each step of the best way, Dauda arrived in Las Vegas with what he felt was an entire physique, together with new measurement and form. “I had extra muscle throughout, an improved again, and higher situation,” the champ expressed.
Dauda’s conditioning might even compete with Choopan’s, who’s finest recognized for being essentially the most shredded athlete on stage. Dauda’s again improvement might tackle Lunsford, who gained each again shot within the 2023 Olympia, in response to the judges.
These judges didn’t share a lot about their favorites after the pre-judging on Oct. 11, when all three contenders confronted off quite a few instances. It was clear that Dauda was within the working, however he might have been on tempo for anyplace from first to 3rd. When requested if he felt it was his title to lose, Dauda had a one-word reply: “No.”
In the future later, the presumed high three returned to the Resorts World Theater to pose once more. Dauda appeared even higher on Saturday evening than he did on Friday, nevertheless it was nonetheless powerful to inform which method the judges have been leaning by the point Olympia proprietor Jake Wooden got here to the stage to current the profitable test.
By this level, Lunsford had been introduced in third place, which means Dauda was assured a minimum of the runner-up spot — an enchancment year-over-year. Earlier than the profitable identify was referred to as, Wooden introduced that the prize cash for the highest two athletes within the lineup had elevated.
“Once I heard that the second place received $250,000, I believed I’d be completely happy if I walked away with that,” Dauda admitted. “Once they introduced first place was $600,000, that simply blew my thoughts.”
After his signature dramatic pause, announcer Bob Cicherillo referred to as Dauda’s identify as the 19th Mr. Olympia. Dauda took residence the golden Sandow trophy — and the very best prize purse in bodybuilding historical past.
Weeks later, Dauda continues to be processing what all of it means. “It feels completely superb and really overwhelming,” he says. “It’s a dream come true for me, and it nonetheless hasn’t sunk but.”
Dauda has time to let it sink in however might want to get again to contest prep with Mrs. Dauda quickly: He has already dedicated to competing within the 2025 Arnold Classic early subsequent yr, the place one other $500,000 is on the road.
Dauda at the moment sits atop bodybuilding’s throne. He’ll quickly uncover what Lunsford, Choopan, and different previous champions have realized over the Olympia’s 60-year historical past: Heavy is the pinnacle that wears the crown.
Extra Bodybuilding Content material
Featured Picture: @samson_dauda on Instagram.