As the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition set to take place this November draws near, preparations among the contenders are intensifying. In a recent episode of The Menace Podcast, seasoned bodybuilder and coach Milos Sarcev scrutinized the strengths and weaknesses of Nick Walker and Samson Dauda, both set to compete in the esteemed event in Florida.
Samson Dauda: A Rising Star in the IFBB Pro League
Samson Dauda, known for his imposing presence often exceeding 300 pounds, has emerged as a strong contender in the IFBB Pro League. His unique fusion of size, conditioning, and stature sets him apart in the Men’s Open Pro division. Dauda’s reputation has skyrocketed over the past year, evidenced by his fourth-place finishes at the 2022 Arnold Classic and Boston Pro.
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The First Olympia Experience: Dauda’s Surprising Performance
In his first ever Mr. Olympia competition held last December, Dauda exceeded all expectations. He showed remarkable competitiveness against the former two-time champion, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, during the prejudging rounds. Despite finishing sixth overall, the experience boosted Dauda’s confidence, strengthening his resolve for future competitions.
2023 Arnold Classic: Dauda’s Stellar Show Against Walker
When Dauda took the stage at the 2023 Arnold Classic, he brought his best against a determined Nick Walker. The judges gave the nod to Dauda’s look, a decision that stirred debate within the bodybuilding community. However, the results have not deterred Dauda as he sets his sights on the upcoming biggest show of the year, the Mr. Olympia.
Sarcev’s Analysis: An Insightful Look at the Two Frontrunners
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia looming, Milos Sarcev offered a detailed analysis of these two frontrunners. His expert insights provide a nuanced understanding of their preparations, potential strategies, and the expectations riding on them as they gear up for the prestigious competition.
Milos Sarcev Counsels Nick Walker to Emphasize Size for the 2023 Mr. Olympia and Discusses Samson Dauda’s Area of Improvement
According to Milos Sarcev, Nick Walker should concentrate on showcasing his exceptional size as his main competitive advantage in the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia. Meanwhile, Sarcev believes Samson Dauda, who has been critiqued for the development of his back by fellow competitors, will make significant strides in improving this area in time for the esteemed competition.
“He [Nick Walker] wishes Samson doesn’t have a back,” said Milos Sarcev.
“Samson has a back, it’s just not his best shot. Everybody got up and arms about it, it’s not a big deal everybody. You have to have a weak shot. Everybody does. Samson’s weakest shot is his back double biceps. End of story, it’s no big deal. But he’s still crazy,” said Guy Cisternino.
“Just watch Samson… in a few months or a year. I mean, he’s improving rapidly,” said Sarcev. “”Expect the best out of Samson.”
According to Cisternino, despite their contrasting physiques, both Dauda and Walker possess the potential to outperform each other in the upcoming competition.
“Samson can beat Nick and Nick can beat Samson. Yeah, 100% absolutely. They both – I’m very like – when it comes to bodybuilding, Milos saw, we talked about it before. When they were both on stage I was cheering on them both because they’re fucking both have phenomenal physiques and very different.
And being very different, they have the ability, one can top the other. Based on if one comes at 100 or one comes in at 99. This is a 1% game they’re playing,” said Guy Cisternino.
Furthering his analysis, Sarcev suggests that Nick Walker should strategically focus on emphasizing his formidable size, while Samson Dauda should direct his efforts towards refining his shape and enhancing the detail of his back. These targeted approaches, according to Sarcev, could greatly augment their respective performances in the competition.
“Dennis, I would say yeah Nick needs [more muscle]. Because there’s the thing that he has going for him. He’s not going to out-shape or be more aesthetic and be wider more v-taper, x-frame and everything – there’s no way. He has to play for size,” said Milos Sarcev.
“The thing with Samson, we had that Olympia battle, all the serratus, the obliques, all that stuff is crispier right now and we had a weight of 325… that was pretty damn impressive,” added Chris Cormier.
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Both Cisternino and Sarcev concur that Dauda’s weakest stance has been his back double biceps pose. Sarcev elaborates, stating that Dauda is now concentrating on expanding his back during this pose to better showcase the intricate detail of his muscle separation. This adjustment, according to Sarcev, should enhance the visual impact of Dauda’s pose and help address this previously identified area of weakness.
“Weakest pose… I’ll agree, it’s maybe back double biceps comparing with the freaks like Nick. Not the worst pose but the least competitive pose among the top five but it’s greatly improving and don’t be surprised,” said Sarcev.
“Now for Samson, and I just posted yesterday. Look, two years ago he sent me one of the first check-ins. Yeah, he was quite small and narrow. Initially, we knew we needed to expand the shoulders, the width over the shoulders, which by now, look at him.”
You can never look at his physique now and say he’s narrow. His shoulders are there and back is expanding and it’s getting quality. He still doesn’t have that fibrotic Shawn Ray, Flex Wheeler, Ronnie Coleman, Dorian Yates when they would do that pose for lats and you could see the fibers… yeah.
So he’s not at that level, but when he hits the back double biceps, especially now, he learned how to open up more. He did and the detail is coming. He’s 330 and we have 15 weeks. You know, we get off completely of supplements and now things are kicking in. The diet is now super strict. He’s hungry and motivated and he knows, listen, you don’t have to be a genius to say he has the potential to win,” said Milos Sarcev.
The Heightened Competitive Edge in Mr. Olympia: A Reflection
Both Cisternino and Dennis James have expressed the belief that the current competitive fervor within the Mr. Olympia competition has not been seen since the 90s or early 2000s. This highlights the increasingly challenging nature of the competition, underscoring the high calibre of the current contenders.
“Never [has the Mr. Olympia been this competitive]. The 90s when you guys did it. The early 2000s,” said Guy Cisternino.
“Right now, there’s literally five or six guys that can walk away with the Olympia,” stated Dennis James. “Are we in danger man, with Open Bodybuilding, it looks like it’s not getting better. Six guys in Tampa, that’s ridiculous. I guarantee you they will have more competitors in the female categories.”
“Do you think people are getting scared?” asks Cisternino. “I had friends that told me they don’t want to compete.”
“I understand, but if I don’t want to compete, I wouldn’t take drugs because I would be more scared of using the drugs. So if I don’t want to compete but I’m fucking 320 pounds running around in the gym acting a fool, I’m not helping myself,” Dennis James said.
The Anticipated Showdown: Samson Dauda vs. Nick Walker
Bodybuilding enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the potential face-off between Samson Dauda and Nick Walker. As the competition draws near, Walker has maintained an active connection with his followers, providing frequent updates on his rigorous preparation. Currently, Walker is highly motivated, with his sights set on his inaugural Sandow trophy, fueled by an intense determination.
The 2023 Mr. Olympia: A Platform for Champions
The 2023 Mr. Olympia competition, taking place from November 2nd to 5th in Orlando, Florida, promises to be a high-stakes event. Despite the reigning champion Hadi Choopan’s formidable reputation, Sarcev firmly believes in Dauda’s chances, considering his notable recent improvements. According to Sarcev, discounting Dauda’s potential would be a mistake in the face of his rapid progress.
Watch The Streaming Of The Menace Podcast below:
Overview
Ahead of the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition, seasoned bodybuilder Milos Sarcev recently evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of competitors Nick Walker and Samson Dauda on The Menace Podcast. While Dauda has been making significant strides in the IFBB Pro League, Walker has been keeping his followers updated on his intensive preparations. Sarcev’s insightful analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the two front-runners’ strategies and the expectations for their upcoming showdown. The coach advises Walker to focus on showcasing size, while Dauda should concentrate on refining his shape and back detail.
Featured Image @MilosSarcev, @Nick_Walker39 & @Samson__Dauda (Instagram)