Nigerian-born body builder, Samson Dauda crowned Mr. Olympia 2024

Samson Dauda, the Nigerian-born bodybuilder representing the United Kingdom, has achieved a monumental victory by being crowned the 2024 Mr. Olympia.

The prestigious annual bodybuilding competition, sanctioned by the IFBB Professional League, took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, USA.

Dauda’s win marks the 60th edition of the Mr. Olympia contest, where he triumphed over top competitors, including Hadi Choopan, who finished as runner-up, and last year’s champion, Derek Lunsford, who came in third.

This historic victory makes Dauda the first bodybuilder of Nigerian descent to win the Mr. Olympia title.

After placing third in the 2023 edition, Dauda returned stronger this year, securing both the title and the “People’s Champion” award, along with a championship belt and trophy.

His win not only cements his place in bodybuilding history but also serves as an inspiration for athletes of African descent.

Who is Samson Dauda?

Dauda was born on March 11, 1992, in Lagos, Nigeria. During his teenage years, he relocated to the United Kingdom, where he initially pursued rugby.

Dauda’s journey into bodybuilding began unexpectedly in 2014. His rugby teammates and Chris Jones, a gym owner, encouraged him to explore the sport. This pivotal moment sparked a passion that would eventually propel Dauda to become a champion bodybuilder.