Nigerian-born bodybuilder wins 2024 Mr Olympia

Nigerian bodybuilder Samson Dauda has emerged winner of the 2024 Mr. Olympia competition, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, USA.

For winning the 60th edition of the Mr. Olympia, Dauda got a record cash prize of $600,000.

The 32-year-old beat two former champions Hadi Choopan of Iran and Derek Lunsford of the USA to become champion.

Another Nigerian who took part in the competition Andrew Jacked finished fifth.

Dauda now joins the likes of Hollywood legendary actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as winners of Mr. Olympia.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 11 March 1992, Dauda moved to the United Kingdom during his teenage years, where he initially focused on playing rugby.

His introduction to bodybuilding came through encouragement from his rugby teammates and a gym owner, Chris Jones.

After witnessing Phil Heath at the 2013 Mr. Olympia, Dauda shifted his focus to competitive bodybuilding and entered his first bodybuilding competition in April 2014.

He earned his IFBB Pro card in 2017 after winning the overall title at the IFBB Amateur Diamond Cup Rome, marking a turning point in his bodybuilding career.

The following year, he made his professional debut at the EVLS Prague Showdown in 2018, placing 5th. His first victory as an IFBB Pro athlete came in 2021 at the EVLS Prague Pro, which earned him a qualification for the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition, where he made his debut and finished 6th.

In 2023, he won the Arnold Classic US and later improved his standing at the Mr. Olympia, finishing third.

Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men’s bodybuilding contest.

It is an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually and is sanctioned by the IFBB Professional League.

The first Mr. Olympia was held on September 18, 1965, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City, with Larry Scott winning his first of two straight titles.

2024 Mr. Olympia Top-5

1. Samson Dauda (Nigeria)
2. Hadi Choopan (Iran)
3. Derek Lunsford (USA)
4. Martin Fitzwater (USA)
5. Andrew Jacked (Nigeria)