Samson Dauda is less than three weeks away from attempting to add another chapter to his legacy by becoming the eighth man in history to have multiple Arnold Classic titles on his resume.
This week the Nigerian Lion released another jaw-dropping update ahead of his upcoming in Columbus, Ohio title defense that led to a flood of comments from bodybuilding fans across the globe who are eagerly anticipating, what looks to be, a historic performance from the defending champ.
However, given the depth in this year’s lineup many experts feel that a repeat from Dauda is far from a lock, including reigning and defending Olympia champion Derek Lunsford.
Recently Lunsford was asked by fans for his Arnold Classic predictions on Instagram and, in response, he said that he believed this year’s contest would see Hadi Choopan, Dauda, and Rafael Brandao locking up the top three spots.
Predictions that Samson will fall short in his efforts to repeat aren’t limited to Lunsford. This week Brasil Bodybuilding News also posted a side-by-side comparison shot of Arnold Classic newcomer Horse M.D. and Dauda hitting a side triceps shot, and asked in the caption “…does Dauda beat him?”
Being crowned the Arnold Classic champion is one of the most prestigious titles in bodybuilding, and the list of athletes that have multiple titles on their resume is loaded with current and future hall-of-famers. If Dauda can win his second consecutive title, it would put him in elite company, especially when you consider who he’ll have to go through to do it. But, at least right now, his path to back-to-back championships feels like it’s anything but certain.
