Nigerian-born bodybuilder Samson Dauda finished runner-up in the Men’s Open division at the 2026 Mr Olympia in Las Vegas, United States, as Nick Walker claimed his first-ever title at the competition.

Dauda, who won the Mr Olympia crown in 2024, finished with 20 points, two behind Walker’s 18, while Derek Lunsford took third place with 24 points, according to the official 2026 scorecard.

The competition took place in Las Vegas from September 24 to 27, with the Mr Olympia finals held at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, September 26.

Dauda’s second-place finish came despite him recording the lower score in the Saturday finals.

An analysis of the official scorecard showed that Walker led after Friday’s prejudging with eight points, while Dauda had 15. In the finals, however, Dauda recorded five points compared with Walker’s 10.

The combined scores left Walker on 18 points and Dauda on 20, with the competitor recording the lower overall score declared the winner.

Dauda confirmed his runner-up finish in an Instagram post 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 described his physique at the competition 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.

While thanking his team, Dauda stressed that the achievement belonged to everyone who had supported him.

“This medal may be around my neck, but it belongs to all of us,” he wrote.

Walker, meanwhile, secured the Sandow trophy for the first time after finishing sixth at the 2025 Mr Olympia. He also received the 2026 People’s Champion award.

The final top five in the Men’s Open division were Walker, Dauda, Lunsford, Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, popularly known as Andrew Jacked, and Tonio Burton.

Dauda entered this year’s competition after winning the 2026 Europa Pro on September 13.

His latest result marks a return to the Mr Olympia podium after he finished fourth in 2025. He previously won the title in 2024, with the official results listing him as representing the United Kingdom.

Nigerian-born bodybuilder Samson Dauda finished runner-up in the Men’s Open division at the 2026 Mr Olympia in Las Vegas, United States, as Nick Walker claimed his first-ever title at the competition.

Dauda, who won the Mr Olympia crown in 2024, finished with 20 points, two behind Walker’s 18, while Derek Lunsford took third place with 24 points, according to the official 2026 scorecard.

The competition took place in Las Vegas from September 24 to 27, with the Mr Olympia finals held at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, September 26.

Dauda’s second-place finish came despite him recording the lower score in the Saturday finals.

An analysis of the official scorecard showed that Walker led after Friday’s prejudging with eight points, while Dauda had 15. In the finals, however, Dauda recorded five points compared with Walker’s 10.

The combined scores left Walker on 18 points and Dauda on 20, with the competitor recording the lower overall score declared the winner.

Dauda confirmed his runner-up finish in an Instagram post 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 described his physique at the competition 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.

While thanking his team, Dauda stressed that the achievement belonged to everyone who had supported him.

“This medal may be around my neck, but it belongs to all of us,” he wrote.

Walker, meanwhile, secured the Sandow trophy for the first time after finishing sixth at the 2025 Mr Olympia. He also received the 2026 People’s Champion award.

The final top five in the Men’s Open division were Walker, Dauda, Lunsford, Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, popularly known as Andrew Jacked, and Tonio Burton.

Dauda entered this year’s competition after winning the 2026 Europa Pro on September 13.

His latest result marks a return to the Mr Olympia podium after he finished fourth in 2025. He previously won the title in 2024, with the official results listing him as representing the United Kingdom.