Samson Dauda commented on the negativity from fans and others following the 2023 Olympia.
There has been a negative reaction from many around the world following the 2023 Olympia contest. Derek Lunsford was crowned champion while Hadi Choopan finished as the runner-up. There have been many comments and threats flying around social media and Samson Dauda, third-place finished at the Olympia, became the latest to speak out and call for positivity.
Lunsford became the 18th Mr. Olympia champion over the weekend. He also became the first bodybuilder to win the biggest title in two separate divisions. Of course, Lunsford won the 212 Olympia title in 2021. After being taken down by Hadi Choopan last year, Lunsford made improvements and flipped the script in 2023.
Following the show, Lunsford was receiving hateful comments on social media and addressed these on Monday. Now, Dauda also chimed in on the topic.
Samson Dauda: “The Negativity Is Going Too Far”
Samson Dauda took a giant step forward in the world of bodybuilding this year. He defeated Nick Walker in March to win the 2023 Arnold Classic and put his name on the map as a threat to the Olympia title. This continued during prejudging as he inserted himself into the top three.
Dauda will continue to be a threat moving forward but believes that it needs to remain positive no matter what.
“We have got to come together in a positive way or we are going to see less and less people who want to be apart of this sport and less people who want to be interested in this sport.”
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Samson Dauda continued to discuss respect in the sport of bodybuilding.
“I love this sport. I love bodybuilding and I love what we do. It hurts when I come home after a crazy weekend and a crazy achievement like this to just look around and see and hear so much negativity about this sport and what we do. Come on guys. We can do better.
We say we love bodybuilding, we love what we do but we are so quick to jump on the negativity about everything.”
The video continued with Dauda touching on the dedication and sacrifice of athletes.
“The guys that walk up on that stage have sacrificed a lot to be on that stage. We are the best in the world at what we do. It doesn’t come by chance. It comes by a lot of hard work and sacrifice and to have them on stage and being criticized and tipped apart. You know, there’s a difference between criticizing a physique and and criticize it and ripping it apart. It’s sad to see.”
Samson Dauda ended his video with a call to action to end of the negativity around the sport of bodybuilding.
“The negativity has to stop. It has to slow down.
The show promoters, they do a lot. They give up a lot to make this happen and they get criticized left, right, and everywhere for them giving their best. Guys, can we please do better? The negativity is going too far.”
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