Nigerian-born bodybuilder Samson Dauda came agonisingly close to reclaiming the Mr. Olympia crown after finishing second in the Men’s Open division at the 2026 edition of bodybuilding’s biggest competition in Las Vegas.
Competing under the United Kingdom flag, Dauda, popularly known as the “Nigerian Lion”, battled some of the biggest names in professional bodybuilding at the Orleans Arena before eventually finishing behind American Nick Walker.
Walker claimed his first Mr. Olympia title with 18 points on the official scorecard, while Dauda finished on 20 points. Former champion Derek Lunsford completed the podium in third place with 24 points.
The contest was decided over two days, with the battle remaining tightly contested until the final scores were calculated.
Walker established an early advantage during Friday’s prejudging, scoring eight points compared with Dauda’s 15. The Nigerian-born star, however, responded emphatically during Saturday night’s finals.
Dauda produced the lowest score of the finals with five points, while Walker recorded 10. Despite Dauda’s stronger showing on the final night, Walker’s advantage from prejudging proved decisive, leaving him two points ahead under the Mr. Olympia scoring system, where the lowest overall score wins.
For Dauda, the result represents another impressive appearance on the biggest stage in bodybuilding.
The 40-year-old previously made history in 2024 when he became the first bodybuilder of Nigerian descent to win the Mr. Olympia title and lift the prestigious Sandow trophy.
His return to the competition in 2026 came after another strong run through the professional circuit. Earlier in September, Dauda won the Europa Pro, giving him valuable momentum heading into the Mr. Olympia contest.
Although he ultimately missed out on the title, his performance in Las Vegas once again demonstrated why he remains one of the leading figures in the Men’s Open division.
Walker took the top prize, while Dauda secured a substantial runner-up purse for his second-place finish. Derek Lunsford finished third, with Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea representing the UAE in fourth and Tonio Burton of the United States completing the top five.
For Dauda, the journey to the top of professional bodybuilding has been a remarkable one.
Born in Nigeria on March 11, 1986, he moved to the United Kingdom as a teenager. His sporting journey initially took him into rugby before he eventually discovered bodybuilding and began building a career in the IFBB Pro League.
Standing at approximately 5 feet 11 inches and competing at weights ranging from around 275 to 330 pounds, Dauda has developed an imposing physique that has made him one of the most recognisable bodybuilders on the international stage.
His combination of size, conditioning and stage presence has helped him rise from relative obscurity to becoming a former Mr. Olympia champion and regular contender for the sport’s biggest prize.
The 2026 result may not have delivered another Sandow trophy, but Dauda once again stood on the podium against the best bodybuilders in the world.
And for Nigerian sports fans, his journey remains significant.
From growing up in Nigeria to becoming a world champion and now returning to the Mr. Olympia podium, Samson Dauda continues to demonstrate the global reach of Nigerian sporting talent.
The Nigerian Lion may have fallen short of the crown this time, but his place among bodybuilding’s elite remains firmly established.
