Samson Dauda, the renowned Nigerian-English athlete and professional bodybuilder, is a true inspiration for common people. He has recently been crowned Olympia 2024, winning a significant cash prize while representing the United Kingdom. In this article, we will shed some light on Samson Dauda’s height, age, bio, net worth, and more.
Athlete’s Physique
However, Samson Dauda’s recent weight is not revealed yet. He weighed around 330 pounds at the Olympia event in 2022. Moreover, his height is approximately 5 feet 11 inches (or 180 cm). At 32, his shape, size, and body symmetry are the commanding attributes that helped him win the prestigious Olympia 2024 title.
Early Life and Inspirations
Samson Dauda is basically from Nigeria. He moved to the United Kingdom in his teenage years. Samson initially had a passion for the sport of Rugby and was always encouraged by his teammates in the training institutes. He later spoke to his gym owner who introduced him to the bodybuilding sport and the process to get into the competitions.
Already inspired by early bodybuilding competitions, he was deeply influenced by Phil Heath’s remarkable display of physique and talent at the 2014 Olympia competition. As a result, he decided to pursue the sport himself and began participating in bodybuilding competitions.
Recent Win at Olympia 2024
Olympia 2024 is the most prestigious competition in bodybuilding, showcasing talent from all over the world annually. It was established by Joe Weider in 1965 to encourage bodybuilders to compete and win the valuable title with a huge cash prize.
Samson Dauda participated in several competitions before competing for the Olympia 2024 title. His journey has been one of dedication, perseverance, and hard work, which paid off in the recent event. Before this, Samson had positioned 6th in 2022 Olympia and then finished 3rd in 2023.
Finally, Olympia 2024 was held at the Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States. Some of the most muscular men and women participated in the event to be titled as “the strongest person” in the world. The title was won by Samson Dauda, representing the United Kingdom. Along with the title, he also won a 24-carat coated Gold trophy and a notable cash prize of $600,000 for making it to the top of the finals. The victory has also provided him with a nickname from his fans as the “Nigerian Lion”.
Other Winners in the Competition
Olympia competition is held around various categories with bodybuilders from all over the world. It was the 60th edition of the game held in 2024. Seven winners in this edition were announced on October 11, 2024 (Friday). Two of them have won the titles consecutively, twice. Here is the list:
| TITLE | NAMES |
| Mr. Olympia | Samson Dauda |
| Classic Physique Olympia | Chris Bumstead |
| Men’s Physique Olympia | Ryan Terry |
| Wheelchair Olympia | Harold Kelley |
| Ms Olympia | Andrea Shaw |
| 212 Olympia | Keone Pearson |
| Fitness Olympia | Missy Truscott |
| Figure Olympia | Cydney Gillon |
| Women’s Physique Olympia | Sarah Villegas |
Two people who stood out in these titles were Andrea Shaw and Keone Pearson. Andrea Shaw defeated Angela Yeo and Ashley Linette Jones to win her Ms Olympia category consecutively for the second time. Similarly, Keone Pearson defeated Shaun Clarida and Spain’s Angel Calderon Frias and won his consecutive second title in the 212 Olympia category.
Influence of His Victory
Samson Dauda has become the first Nigerian to win the title of Olympia 2024 for the first time. The moment has surely brought immense pride and a sense of accomplishment for his supporters from his home country and the African continent. He burst into tears on stage after winning the title and dropped to his knees, showing just how hard he had been striving for this victory over the years.
Samson’s triumph has inspired aspiring athletes, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in a sport long dominated by Western competitors. In addition to his accolades, Dauda’s financial success is also remarkable.
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Other Achievements
Samson Dauda appeared in his first bodybuilding competition in April 2014. He had his turning point in life when he won the IFBB Amateur Diamond Cup Rome in 2017. He also made his professional debut at the EVLS Prague Showdown in 2018 where he finished fifth. The same year, he was also positioned ninth at the George Farah Classic Pro Italy. Since then, he has been participating in IFBB titles every year. Some of his major achievements include the following titles:
| Year | Title | Position |
| 2021 | IFBB EVLS Prague Pro | 1st |
| 2023 | Arnold Classic (UK) | 2nd |
| 2024 | IFBB France Pro | 1st |
| 2024 | IFBB Arnold Classic (US, UK) | 2nd |
Source of Encouragement
Samson Dauda keeps himself and his followers motivated by sharing some motivational quotes frequently. He updates about his training, life, and victories through his Instagram account. While returning to his home after winning the title recently, he shared a post where he expressed his gratitude for his beloved life.
Samson mentioned that his wife, Marlena, has supported him for over 10 years in this journey. She even left his job as a professional mental health expert in Britain. She has been a constant source of motivation for him along the journey and is often seen accompanying his husband at the events.
Overall Net Worth
After he won $600,000 as the cash prize for the Olympia 2024 title, his overall net worth is estimated to be $1 Million in 2024. With growing popularity and influence through his sportsmanship, he is winning various accolades. He is building solid wealth because of the promising cash prizes and sponsorships from different titles.
