From Lagos to the global stage of professional bodybuilding, Samson Dauda has added another major achievement to his international career, finishing second in the Men’s Open division at the 2026 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas, United States.
Competing under the United Kingdom flag, the Nigerian-born bodybuilder finished behind American Nick Walker, who claimed his first Mr. Olympia championship. Walker collected the $600,000 first prize, while Dauda earned $200,000 for his runner-up finish. Derek Lunsford placed third, followed by Andrew Jacked in fourth and Tonio Burton in fifth.
The result comes after another strong year for Dauda, who won the Europa Pro on September 13 before returning to the Olympia stage. His second-place finish in Las Vegas improved on his fourth-place result from 2025, although it was not enough to reclaim the title he won in 2024.
Born in Lagos, Dauda moved to the United Kingdom as a teenager, where an introduction to bodybuilding through rugby eventually changed the direction of his sporting career. What began alongside his involvement in rugby developed into a serious pursuit, leading him to earn his IFBB Pro card in 2017.
He made his professional debut in 2018 and reached the Mr. Olympia stage for the first time in 2022, finishing sixth.
A year later, he climbed to third before completing his breakthrough in 2024 by winning the Men’s Open title and becoming Mr. Olympia champion.
The 2025 competition brought a different outcome. Dauda finished fourth as Derek Lunsford reclaimed the championship. Hadi Choopan was runner-up, while Andrew Jacked finished third.
His return to Las Vegas this year produced another podium finish, placing him among the leading competitors in the division once again.
Across his five Mr. Olympia appearances, Dauda's record now stands at sixth place in 2022, third in 2023, first in 2024, fourth in 2025 and second in 2026. He has therefore recorded one championship victory and three additional podium finishes at the competition.
The Lagos-born athlete has remained closely connected to his Nigerian roots despite competing internationally under the United Kingdom flag. His association with Nigeria is also reflected in the nickname by which he is widely known: the “Nigerian Lion.”
Dauda’s latest performance adds another international milestone to a career that began with an unexpected transition from rugby to bodybuilding. From his early years in Lagos and his move to Britain as a teenager to winning the world’s most prestigious bodybuilding title and returning to the podium two years later, his career continues to place a Nigerian-born athlete firmly in the global bodybuilding spotlight.
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