Legendary 8x Mr. Olympia champion Lee Haney breaks down his advice for Samson Dauda to win multiple Olympia titles
The 2024 Mr. Olympia Weekend delivered some thrilling surprises, with the Men’s Open division crowning a new champion: Samson Dauda. His victory stirred conversations throughout the bodybuilding world, with many wondering if the new titleholder has what it takes to dominate the competition in future years. Addressing these speculations, bodybuilding legend Lee Haney recently shared his insights in an interview on Olympia TV on October 16, 2024. The eight-time Mr. Olympia winner offered advice to Dauda, emphasizing the importance of muscle maturity over size if he hopes to retain his crown in the years to come.
Haney’s Perspective on the 2024 Mr. Olympia Results
As a veteran of the sport and an authority on championship-level bodybuilding, Lee Haney is uniquely qualified to analyze the competition. Dominating the IFBB Pro League throughout the 1980s, Haney is widely respected for his understanding of the intricacies of building an elite physique. During his Olympia TV interview, Haney broke down what he saw on stage, offering a roadmap not only for Samson Dauda but for other competitors who aspire to stand out on the sport’s biggest stage.
Samson Dauda’s Unique Challenge: Height and Proportions
One of the key topics Haney addressed was the challenge of achieving muscle maturity as a taller bodybuilder. Standing out in a field dominated by athletes who are often shorter and more compact, Samson Dauda’s height and structure pose unique hurdles. Lee Haney noted that it can take longer for taller athletes to develop their physiques fully, especially when compared to shorter competitors who add mass more easily.
“His height, the other thing is his proportion because when the guys are carrying 300 pounds and everything fits and flows properly, that’s a tough force to reckon with,” Haney explained. “Where a lot of the guys are a lot shorter and adding a lot of size to them, it just takes on a different kind of a look. I’m not knocking one and uplifting another, but it’s harder for a taller guy to develop. Samson did a heck of a job doing that.”
Lee Haney praised Samson Dauda’s current physique, but he emphasized that if the goal is to win multiple Mr. Olympia titles, the key lies not in adding more mass but in refining the muscle he already has.
The Path to Becoming a Multi-Time Champion: Refinement Over Size
According to Lee Haney, Samson Dauda’s next steps should focus on muscle maturity and improving the fine details of his physique. He cautioned against attempting to pack on additional muscle, as this could alter Dauda’s aesthetic appeal and potentially hurt his chances of repeating as Mr. Olympia.
“Don’t focus on putting on any more size period. You don’t need that. If he starts to use real, real heavy weight he’ll turn into something that’s not pretty,” Haney advised. “His legs are right at the point of okay, that’s enough mass building. Let’s create more muscle maturity, let’s get the lines in there and I see that for his entire physique. I strongly feel Samson can get better.”
Bodybuilding analyst Bob Cicherillo echoed Haney’s sentiments, suggesting that Samson Dauda’s future success will depend on refining his physique and improving his conditioning. While Cicherillo doesn’t foresee anyone matching Haney’s record of eight Olympia titles in this era, he believes that Dauda has the potential to win multiple Sandows.
“You don’t have to put on more muscle, you need refinement if there’s a critique, I’d say he still has room to be a little bit more conditioned,” said Cicherillo. He continued:
“If this guy can do that then you might see a multi-time Olympia champion.”
Dauda’s Next Challenge: The 2025 Arnold Classic
Looking ahead, Samson Dauda has already announced his intention to compete in the 2025 Arnold Classic, where a $500,000 prize awaits the winner. This decision underscores his commitment to staying active in the sport and testing himself against the best competitors, rather than focusing solely on the Olympia stage. It also sets up an exciting rematch with some of the top athletes from this year’s Olympia.
Lee Haney remains optimistic about Samson Dauda’s future, highlighting the impressive balance of mass, aesthetics, and shape that he brings to the Men’s Open division. “With calculated training, he can not only improve but claim multiple Mr. Olympia titles,” Haney concluded.
A New Era in Bodybuilding
The Men’s Open class in bodybuilding is witnessing a shift, with a blend of old-school conditioning and new-school size becoming the standard. As Samson Dauda navigates his next steps, the advice from legends like Lee Haney will play a crucial role in shaping his journey.
While the days of eight-time champions like Haney may be behind us, Dauda’s rise has brought new excitement to the stage, and fans are eager to see how he will evolve in the years to come.
You can watch the full video conversation with Lee Haney below:
