From rugby player to best bodybuilder on the planet: The rise of Britain's finest

By Gary Chappell

SAMSON DAUDA says being crowned Mr Olympia is a "dream come true" and has revealed competing in France two weeks ago gave him the perfect information to dial in his condition.

Dauda became only the second Briton since Dorian Yates to win the coveted Mr Olympia title, when dethroning Derek Lunsford in Las Vegas on Saturday night. He also beat 2022 champion Hadi Choopan and 2019 winner Brandon Curry.

Dauda said: "This is a dream come true. This is unreal. This has just been amazing. We knew we were trying to bring something special this year and we knew we could do it. And to have it come to play and happen like this, I couldn't ask for better.

"It feels crazy, it feels [like I'm] over the moon. It feels like all that work all year, putting through everything, to stand on that stage and say 'we did it, against all [the odds], we did it'. There is nothing better."

Dauda received criticism in some corners for his decision to compete at the France Pro just two weeks out from the Olympia. But his surprise move paid dividends because he was given feedback from judges which made him knuckle down even more.

He said: "We really pushed things down because we got the feedback from the judges in France. We knew we had to dig deeper because I knew exactly what they wanted to see. The last two weeks I was doing an hour and a half cardio every day.

"Are you trying to starve me to death?"

"My wife [Marlena Gustowska his coach] was cutting my food so fast I was like 'are you trying to starve me to death'? She really pushed me down and she really wanted to me to shock the world. I don't even know how that happened but she said, 'trust me, you don't lose muscle. You're going to suffer. Even though you're going to hate me for it, trust me, you're going to thank me for it at the end'. Now we know we can achieve this look, I know how far I have to push things."

Speaking to the many fans gathered in Las Vegas, Dauda added: "For all the support you guys [fans] have given me, all your messages, all your love, I want to say thank you so much for everything. It has meant the world to me. We have been through a lot this year and you all stuck by me and I'm truly thankful."

Samson Dauda: From Rugby Player to Mr Olympia

Dauda has taken the bodybuilding world by storm, rising from relative obscurity to become Mr Olympia. However, his path to success was not always rooted in bodybuilding. His journey began on the rugby field, playing first on the wing before moving to outside centre. This is where he built the foundation of his remarkable physique and developed the discipline that would later propel him to greatness on the bodybuilding stage.

During a previous interview, Dauda said: “I was playing rugby for the town I was living in at the time and the guys I was in the changing room with would say, ‘wow, you have a great physique. Have you ever thought about competing'? “I was like, ‘what are you talking about'?"

Dauda spoke to local gym owner Chris Jones – a former NABBA Pro and now NABBA judge. Then he saw the 2013 Mr Olympia contest, which was won by Phil Heath.

“I was just blown away by it. I was like oh my God,” said Dauda at the time. “It just kind of caught me at that point and I was like ‘OK, you know what? I want to do this'."

Jones continues to be a close friend to this day and wrote a glowing tribute on social media: "Well, how do I even begin to put into words just how proud I am right now about Samson Dauda becoming the very best bodybuilder on the planet and becoming the 19th man in history to win the Mr Olympia?

There was something very special about Samson

"Right from the very beginning, it was obvious there was something very special about Samson. He used to work with my wife in 2009 at Basildon Hospital. A simple conversation about going to the gym and Samson wanting to get “a bit bigger”, led to my wife giving Samson my phone number. A few days later, he called me and arranged to come and see me at the gym.

"He walked in weighing about 150 pounds and I gave him a training plan and a diet plan and off he went happy with what we'd discussed.

"Around six months later, he came back to see me – and had gained around 15 pounds of pure muscle. It was blatantly apparent that Samson had a great ability to grow muscle even back then.

"Fast forward a few years and we had so many adventures and experiences together. And with the persuasion of his wife Marlena, he agreed to do his first bodybuilding show. All the years of competing, going to regional qualifiers, British championships together and trying to make a mark. It was clear that Samson was destined for greatness.

"Through all the success, Samson is still the same humble, down-to-earth guy that he has always been and has always remained true and loyal to his friends.

"I will close this by saying that I am truly humbled and privileged to say that my mate Samson Dauda is now THE best bodybuilder on the planet. A nd he still comes down our gym [Evolve Fitness in Essex] to chat with us lads and eat and train. Well done Samson and Marlena."

Despite several accounts profiling his competition history, Dauda actually competed with at the IBFA Hampshire in 2013, winning his class and the overall.

“It just felt so natural to be on there, you know,” said Dauda. “One of the promoters came to me and said, ‘I think you can win this class [the overall]’. I was like ‘are you out of your mind’?”

Fast forward 11 years and Dauda is the best bodybuilder on the planet. Mr Olympia.

Early Struggles and Breakthroughs

Dauda’s entry into the competitive bodybuilding scene was not easy. He faced many of the challenges that come with starting a new sport – learning how to pose, understanding nutrition and perfecting his stage presence. His initial competitions were met with mixed results. But Dauda persisted, knowing that he had the potential to rise to the top.

It was not until he started learning the intricacies of professional bodybuilding that Dauda’s career began to take off. His physique, known for its symmetry, size and definition, started to catch the attention of judges and fans alike.

In 2021, Dauda had his breakthrough year, placing highly in several major competitions, including the Arnold Classic and IFBB Pro League shows. His combination of mass, aesthetics and an impressive posing routine set him apart from the competition.

The Road to Mr Olympia

By 2022, Dauda had solidified himself as a legitimate contender for the Mr. Olympia title. His transformation from a rugby player to a world-class bodybuilder is a testament to his work ethic and determination. His Nigerian heritage, combined with his British upbringing, gave him a unique identity and perspective in the sport.

Dauda’s rise to prominence is an inspirational story of resilience, discipline and ambition. And now he and wife Marlena know what he needs to do to dial in that Mr Olympia condition. So the question now is: Just how many can he win?

Dauda might well be known as the Nigerian Lion but right now there is no doubt he is Britain's best.

Samson Dauda’s competition history

MORE FROM FRONTDOUBLE:

SAMSON DAUDA ATHLETE PROFILE

Samson Dauda at 40: From UK beginner to Mr Olympia champion

Samson Dauda: ‘I paid the price for not being bigger’ after Mr Olympia loss

Lewis Breed: “I wouldn’t be the bodybuilder I am today without my wife”

IFBB HUB

UK BODYBUILDING RESULTS

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