Samson Dauda's Arnold Classic Picks
Mr. Olympia contender Samson Dauda has shared his top 4 picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic and addressed speculation about competing before the next Olympia. Dauda stated "Never say never" regarding additional competitions but confirmed his focus remains on peaking for the Olympia stage. His predictions are influential in shaping expectations for the year's first major bodybuilding showdown.
- Samson Dauda is the 2024 Mr. Olympia champion, the first UK-based winner since Dorian Yates in 1997. - At the 2025 Mr. Olympia, Dauda placed fourth, with Derek Lunsford reclaiming the title. Lunsford also defeated Dauda at the 2025 Arnold Classic, where Dauda finished in second place. - Dauda himself won the Arnold Classic title in 2023. - The Arnold Classic is one of the most prestigious professional bodybuilding competitions, founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger. - Dauda's top four predictions for the 2026 Arnold Classic are Hadi Choopan, Andrew Jacked, Nick Walker, and Martin Fitzwater. - His pick, Hadi Choopan, is a former Mr. Olympia winner (2022) and was the runner-up at the 2025 Mr. Olympia. - Dauda's consideration of competing before the 2026 Mr. Olympia is based on a strategy he used in 2024; he believes a "trial run" show helps to gauge his body's response after adding significant muscle mass in the off-season. - After his fourth-place finish at the 2025 Olympia, Dauda has focused on adding size, reportedly weighing over 350 pounds in his off-season.
