Nigerian bodybuilder Samson Dauda came second in the Men’s Open division at the 2026 Mr Olympia in Las Vegas, USA. Nick Walker won his first title in this competition.
Dauda, who won Mr Olympia in 2024, ended with 20 points. He was just two points behind Walker, who had 18 points. Derek Lunsford took third place with 24 points, according to the 2026 scorecard.
The event took place in Las Vegas from September 24 to 27. The finals happened at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, September 26.
Dauda finished second even though he had the lowest score in the finals on Saturday.
An analysis of the official scorecard shows that Walker was in the lead after Friday's prejudging with eight points, while Dauda had 15 points. In the finals, Dauda scored five points, while Walker scored 10.
This left Walker with 18 points and Dauda with 20 points. The lower score decided the winner.
Dauda shared his second-place finish on Instagram on Sunday.
"2nd place at the 2026 Mr. Olympia," he wrote.
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."
Dauda also said that his physique at the competition was, "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.
He thanked his team, saying the medal was not just his alone.
"This medal may be around my neck, but it belongs to all of us," he wrote.
Walker, on the other hand, took the Sandow trophy for the first time after finishing sixth in 2025. He also won the 2026 People’s Champion award.
The top five in the Men’s Open division were Walker, Dauda, Lunsford, Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, known as Andrew Jacked, and Tonio Burton.
Dauda entered this year’s competition after winning the 2026 Europa Pro on September 13.
His result this year marks his return to the Mr Olympia podium after placing fourth in 2025. He had won the title in 2024, and the official results listed him as representing the United Kingdom.
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