Samson Dauda admits Hadi Choopan & Derek Lunsford have an edge in back but he can win if it improves.
Samson Dauda has completely taken the next step in Men’s Open. After plenty of hype and potential, Dauda was able to improve his physique and become a champion during the Arnold Classic. Now, he will look to take it up one final notch on the biggest stage. During a recent interview, Dauda claimed that if he improves his back, he can win the Olympia.
During the 2022 Olympia, Dauda finished sixth and turned heads with his incredible size. He took three months to improve further and took the stage in Columbus back in March. After an exciting battle on stage with Nick Walker and Andrew Jacked, Dauda was crowned champion and sparked much conversation about what is next.
During the Olympia, Dauda went toe-to-toe with Big Ramy for fifth place. At the top, Derek Lunsford pushed Hadi Choopan, who was able to win his first championship. Dauda admitted that the top-two finishers have better detail in their back but that is all they hold over him at the moment.
“That’s going to be one area where they’re holding their strengths.”
Dauda sat down with Muscular Development for an interview and discussed his prep and what is next. He knows where his weaknesses are and is in the process of improving.
Samson Dauda: “I Got To Close That Door, Close That Gap”
The 2023 Olympia is scheduled for November 2-5 back in Orlando. After winning the Arnold, Samson Dauda acknowledges that there is only one place left to go and that is winning the Olympia.
“I mean, this one, I’m already thinking, okay, fu*k we gotta go win the Olympia now. A few weeks later off the Arnold stage yeah, I’m like let’s go. I mean, I’m still sort of taking it all in. Enjoying the idea, it’s the Arnold man, it just changes your life.”
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On the biggest stage, judges take every little detail into account to pick a winner. Dauda believes that he has the whole package but lacks a little in his back. This is where Choopan and Lunsford were able to gain an advantage. If Dauda improves his back, can he win the show in November?
“One thing, obviously, I want to make sure that because I know the one point that those two guys will have over me will be the back shots. So that one, okay, I got to close that door. Close that gap. I probably won’t be able to pass it but I will close it enough to where it no longer is a night and day sort of thing. Once I do that, the rest of it, where else can they touch me on?”
Samson Dauda discussed the process at length when it comes to judges scoring at the Olympia. He admits that he does not have to beat the field completely from the back but just improve enough right away to jump up a few pegs.
If this happens, the overall symmetry and conditioning of Dauda’s physique could sway judging.
“We make sure we tick so much boxes that you might beat us in this shot or that shot, but guess what, when you overall tally the score, we get a lot more points than you do and this is how a physique works, being so balanced and so symmetrical that you can’t pick out a bad pose.”
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