Samson Dauda, who assumed the throne at the 2024 Mr. Olympia on Oct. 12, won’t be retreating from the bodybuilding stage to prep for next year’s “O” — he wants to stay in the thick of it.
- “I’m not going to be a one-show guy,” Dauda said one day after his decisive victory at the Mr. Olympia. “I’m never going to disappear the whole year … as for the Arnold Classic, you’d best believe I’m going to be on that stage.”
The Arnold Classic, which hosts accompanying events outside the U.S. as well, boasts an impressive $500,000 cash prize for first place in the Men’s Open division next year, where Dauda now reigns.
Dauda’s intent to remain on the front lines of competitive bodybuilding, and not become a reclusive ruler, is a big deal for both his fans and fellow competitors. Let’s talk about it.
Samson Dauda at the 2025 Arnold Classic
Many champions crowned at the Olympia become one-and-doners. After all, one of the biggest perks of winning the “O” — besides Dauda’s $600,000 check and the Sandow trophy — is not having to qualify for the event again.
Most Olympia winners use this leeway to lengthen their off-season periods, sidestep the exhaustion of contest prep, and focus solely on the next Olympia.
- This strategy worked well for Chris Bumstead, the world’s most famous bodybuilder and six-time champion of the Classic Physique division. Bumstead competed exclusively at the Olympia since 2019, winning in commanding fashion each time.
- 2023 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford, on the other hand, lost his title to Dauda and hadn’t competed since his win last year.
- Most Mr. Olympia winners opt for one big show per year; some athletes thrive by doing so, but it isn’t a guaranteed advantage.
Dauda’s front-facing posture is a shot in the arm for bodybuilding fans, many of whom received disappointing news leading up to and during the 2024 Olympia.
- Days before the “O,” fan favorite Nick Walker announced he had pulled out of competing for the second year in a row.
- Eight-time Figure Olympia winner Cydney Gillon announced her retirement from the sport, as did 2022 Men’s Physique Olympia winner Erin Banks.
- Bumstead also broke news of his departure from the sport.
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But Dauda, who was named People’s Champion at this year’s Olympia, wants to keep his Arnold Classic title in the family. He won the thing in 2023 (Choopan took it back this year) and went on to place third at the Olympia, after finishing a modest but respectable sixth in his debut in 2022.
- The Olympia-Arnold punch combo is rare, but not unheard of. All-time great and eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman paid a visit to the Arnold in 2001, just months after winning the 2000 Mr. Olympia.
Coleman competed three times in ’01, a habit he scarcely broke during his tenure at the top of bodybuilding. If fans are lucky, Dauda will make his presence felt in the same way.
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Featured Image: @samson__dauda / Instagram
