Samson Dauda has been crowned the 2024 Mr. Olympia champion and received $600,000 on Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention Centere, in Nevada, USA.
Meanwhile, Hadi Choopan managed to hold the rank from 2023 as the runner up. Former winner Derek Lunsford ended up in third place.
This win not only cements Dauda into bodybuilding history, but also helped change the landscape and history of the competition going forward and motivates bodybuilders all around the world.
Choopan on the other hand, received $250,000. It was a second time the Iranian-born bodybuilder taste defeats at the event.
“I’m so excited. Thank you for your support. This title make me one of the greatest bodybuilders in the world.” Dauda said.
Realistically speaking the person who could have been the 2022 champion was one or two judging decisions from becoming a 3 times Mr. Olympia and going down in history as the most successful Mr. Olympia since Phil Heath’s run of success.
In contention with other strong performers, Dauda was up against other talented rivals, and stiffer previous winners, upcoming artistes and hardship challengers alike.
For several years, Dauda has been representing Nigerian bodybuilder and his victory in this event has placed him among the few outstanding body builders in the world.
On Saturday, seven of the winners of this edition of the Mr. Olympia were announced, especially the crowning of Andrea Shaw as the new Ms. Olympia champion, outcompeting Angela Yeo and Ashley Linette Jones.
As in the 212 Olympia category, it was Keone Pearson, who having won the second championship consecutively left Shaun Clarida and Spain’s Angel Calderon Frias behind him.
The bodybuilding kingpin, Arnold Schwarzenegger whose nickname is Arnold The Auckilla previously reigned supreme on the Mr. Olympia stage where he held titles for 6 years from 1970 to 1975 before joining full time ‘acting’.
