By admin Samson Dauda, known as the “Nigerian Lion”, won the Mr. Olympia 2024, overtaking top contenders Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan to secure his first title in what many might call an upset. However, Dauda recently revealed that his journey to bodybuilding’s most prestigious prize was marked by thoughts of near retirement and constant struggle. Now at the peak of his career, the IFBB professional is already preparing for the new challenges ahead.
In a conversation with Generation Iron’s Vlad Yudin in a YouTube interview, Dauda talked more about the difficulties of pursuing a professional bodybuilding career. “When you’re an amateur, you don’t think about what’s next after the pro card,” said Dauda, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria. “You just focus on what’s in front of you. You want that professional card, but when you get it, it doesn’t mean you’re the best. It just gets you into the goal,” the ace bodybuilder-turned-British said as a teenager.
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For international athletes like Dauda, competing in the United States requires a significant financial investment, with travel and accommodation costs being the main obstacle. Realizing that success would require sacrifices, Dauda made the necessary commitments to compete with the best.
When Samson Dauda questioned his efforts
The path to the top was not without complications. The Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the need to balance full-time employment, has caused additional pressure and moments of self-doubt. Dauda admitted he doubted his efforts would be sustainable, but the unwavering support of family, friends and sponsors kept him on track. In 2022, he made his Olympia debut, taking sixth place, and this performance reignited his motivation. Capitalizing on this momentum, he finished third in 2023 and won the title this year.
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Despite winning $600,000, Dauda is not slowing down. Instead of waiting until next year’s Olympia, he focused on the Arnold Sports Festival in March, where the winner of the Men’s Open Division will receive $500,000. The 37-year-old is no stranger to the event, having won the Classic Division title in 2023, and is looking forward to competing again in Columbus, Ohio.
“I have no intention of playing for one performance,” assured Dauda. “I will never disappear for a whole year.” He confirmed his intention to run at Arnold, stating, “you better believe I’m going to be on that stage.”