2023 Arnold Classic champion Samson Dauda is in the final stages of his preparation for the 2024 Arnold Classic, set for Mar. 1-2, 2024, in Columbus, OH. Dauda will attempt to become the first athlete to successfully defend the Arnold Classic title since Branch Warren did so in 2011 and 2012.
To do so, Dauda must defeat several of the IFBB Pro League’s best, including 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan, who placed one spot ahead of Dauda in the 2023 Olympia, won by Derek Lunsford.
Editor’s Note: The following interview has been lightly edited for readability.
[Related: How to Watch the 2024 Arnold Classic Competitions]
BarBend: How has your 2024 Arnold Classic prep been thus far? Are you ready to stand against Hadi Choopan for judges’ comparisons?
Dauda: I’m feeling really good. I’m excited. I’m getting goosebumps because I’m ready to get after it. I need to be the aggressor more than the actual defender [champion].
BarBend: Anticipation for the Arnold Classic has circled around you versus Choopan. There are 10 other athletes on the roster, though. Are there any who stand out to you as contenders?
Dauda: I have Rafael Brandao placing high at the show. He’s improved and added size. Horse MD (Marcello De Angelis) is another. I competed against him last year and was impressed. Fans in the United States haven’t seen him yet, and they don’t know what they are in for when they see him.
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Peaking for a single pro show in a year can be challenging enough, but the “Nigerian Lion” has been on an extended grind. Dauda competed in the 2023 Olympia in Nov. 2023, then won the 2023 Romania Muscle Fest Pro and 2023 Prague Pro shortly thereafter.
That schedule did not offer Dauda much time to relax before diving into his 2024 Arnold Classic prep. He is scheduled to compete in the 2024 Arnold Classic UK contest on Mar. 15-17, 2024, in Birmingham, England, just two weeks after the main event in Columbus.
BarBend: How have you managed your grueling competition schedule? Has there been any challenging wear and tear you’ve dealt with?
Dauda: This prep has been great, Most preps have been hard, but I’ve been able to go through it smoothly. Everything has fallen into place nicely.
- Dauda will take a break from the competitive stage following the Birmingham contest to focus on the 2024 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024.
- Thanks to his top-three finish at the 2023 Olympia, Dauda has already qualified for the 2024 contest (in addition to his two aforementioned IFBB pro show wins since then).
Dauda didn’t have to enter the Arnold Classic this year. However, the opportunity to defend his title and potentially win the $300,000 first-place check was too good to pass up.
BarBend: Now that we’re in Columbus, how have the final stages of your peak week prep with coach Milos Sarcev and your wife, whom you’ve dubbed your “dream team,” felt?
Dauda: It’s great to be this comfortable because I’ve done this enough times. You get there, and it’s almost like being home. You already know what you have to do and not even think about it. That helps you to stay calm. Because there is no stress, you tend to look your best.
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BarBend: If your strategy is to execute the game plan and relax, will you attend the expo at the Greater Columbus Convention Center to meet fans at the Celsius booth?
Dauda: I’m definitely going to be there on Friday afternoon. Come by to meet me and see the team. It’s going to be a great time.
Prejudging for the Arnold Classic is on Friday, March 1, 2024. The finals are set for Saturday, March 2. Both rounds of the competition will be streamed live for free on the Arnold Sports Festival website.
Featured Image: @samson__dauda on Instagram
