90s bodybuilding icon Shawn Ray is known for two things, his long and consistent bodybuilding career and unfiltered opinions. The only bodybuilder to compete against not one but three Mr. Olympia winners earlier gave his opinion about Samson Duada. Dauda, who had a lot of hype behind him after winning the Arnold Classic 2023, placed third at this year’s Mr. Olympia.

However, the man who finished in the top five at the Olympia for 12 consecutive years believes Samson Dauda is destined for greatness. Shawn Ray spoke about Dauda while appearing at the IFBB AMA Podcast. The uncrowned Mr. Olympia said that the Nigerian Lion has everything it takes to beat Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford.

Samson Dauda doesn’t need to make changes

During the podcast featuring fellow 90s bodybuilder Milos Sarcev, Ray explained why Dauda has the ingredients for success. The bodybuilding veteran said the Nigerian Lion has the height and weight advantage over Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford. This year, Derek Lunsford dethroned Hadi Choopan as Mr. Olympia. However, Dauda couldn’t beat Choopan.

The bodybuilding veteran believes Lunsford and Choopan have “already maxed out.” While the former and current Mr. Olympia might improve their conditioning, Dauda has space to grow. Interestingly, Shaw Ray also said that the UK resident doesn’t need bigger arms, quads, or hamstrings. “He’s got two little guys to beat. Samson should never lose to those little guys,” said Shawn Ray.

Ray Came to this conclusion because he has been a “victim of it.” The Arnold Classic winner believes Dauda has the caliber to match eight-time Mr Olympia Ronnie Coleman‘s size. “I wasn’t going to beat Ronnie. I wasn’t going to beat Dorian. It doesn’t matter if I was five pounds heavier or five pounds lighter,” said Ray.

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The retired bodybuilder believes if Samson Dauda achieves his full potential, Choopan or Lunsford gaining or losing five pounds also wouldn’t matter. The bodybuilding icon also suggested how Dauda could possibly silence the doubters in 2024.

Will Smson Dauda claim the bodybuilding trifecta?

After the 2023 Mr. Olympia concluded, the hype around Duada died down. However, the 58-year-old said the Nigerian Lion would be well on his way to success if he defends his Arnold Classic crown in 2024. However, the Mr. Olympia runner-up said that Dauda would silence all doubters if he won the Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic UK, and Mr. Olympia.

Shawn Ray even went as far as to say that Samson Dauda “can literally retire after,” winning this trifecta. However, he would have to step on stage with the “streamlined” 2001 Ronnie Coleman-like physique to win all three shows.

While Shawn Ray believes that Samson Dauda can win it all, he also feels the Arnold Classic 2023 champion needs some polish to realize his dream.

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