Nigerian-born bodybuilder, Samson Dauda, finished as runner-up in the Men’s Open division at the 2026 Mr Olympia competition in Las Vegas, United States, with Nick Walker winning the title for the first time.
Dauda, the 2024 Mr Olympia champion, accumulated 20 points to finish two points behind Walker, who recorded 18 points.
Derek Lunsford placed third with 24 points, according to the published 2026 scorecard.
The competition was held in Las Vegas from September 24 to 27, while the Men’s Open finals took place at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, September 26.
Despite recording the lowest score in the Saturday finals, Dauda’s performance across the prejudging and final rounds was enough to secure second place overall.
Walker led the prejudging with eight points, while Dauda had 15.
In the finals, Dauda recorded five points compared to Walker’s 10, with the combined scores leaving Walker on 18 points and Dauda on 20. In the competition, the lower aggregate score determines the winner.
Dauda confirmed his runner-up finish in an Instagram post on Sunday, writing, “2nd place at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.”
He added, “Of course we came here to win, but I couldn’t be prouder of this moment and the look we brought to the stage.”
The bodybuilder also praised the physique he brought to the competition, describing it as “the best version of me we have ever created.”
“This was the best version of me we have ever created,” he said in the post.
Thanking those who worked with him, Dauda said the achievement belonged to his entire team.
“This medal may be around my neck, but it belongs to all of us,” he wrote.
Walker claimed the Sandow trophy after finishing sixth at the 2025 Mr Olympia. He also won the 2026 People’s Champion award.
The top five in the Men’s Open division were Walker, Dauda, Lunsford, Nigerian bodybuilder Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, popularly known as Andrew Jacked, and Tonio Burton.
Dauda entered the competition after winning the 2026 Europa Pro on September 13.
His latest result marks a return to the Mr Olympia podium after finishing fourth in 2025.
He won the prestigious title in 2024, with the official results listing him as representing the United Kingdom.
