by Christian Duque
From coaching and posing with 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up Derek Lunsford to quite a few visitor posing and different appearances all through the bodybuilding world 2023 Arnold Basic champion Samson Dauda has been rising the game like no different. He’s a first-rate instance of the type of champion that’s going to make this area of interest sport right into a family identify.
Not like reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan, Dauda has made some extent to slim the hole between the followers and the celebs. He has been capable of obtain this purpose by way of intensive exercise on numerous social media platforms. This degree of exercise must be the norm for all Mr. Olympias, nevertheless, we have now seen virtually no exercise from The Persian Wolf or his predecessor 2x Mr. Olympia Huge Ramy.
The actual fact of the matter is that we reside in an age when everybody lives on their cellphones and because of this all different codecs play second fiddle. Desktop computer systems are used solely in workplaces, tablets are used totally on planes, and print media is on life assist. FLEX and Muscle & Health now not print in america, Muscle Magazine is gone, IronMan covers solely pure bodybuilding, and Muscular Improvement is scarcely out there at newsstands. This is the reason I say print is on life assist. Due to this fact, the overwhelming majority of parents get their information from digital codecs all accessible from their telephones. The innovative media retailers maintain visitors and engagement excessive. They go on the market to interrupt tales, do podcasts, and get nice interviews. Guys like Samson aren’t simply connecting with the followers on their very own platforms however they’re additionally working intently with numerous bodybuilding retailers. That too is vital.
We discover ourselves throughout a really essential time limit insofar as whether or not bodybuilding will keep a distinct segment sport or will make strikes to develop into different segments of society. If physique-based and strength-based sports activities can develop into wider spheres of affect we could begin to see extra mainstream sponsors. This may create ample curiosity to warrant competitions shifting into bigger venues and receiving way more preferential remedy from the mainstream media.
Though there’s a faculty of thought in our world that’s detached to how the on a regular basis crowd treats our sport, that’s small potatoes mentality. Positive, there are purists who’re proud of contests being run out of highschool auditoriums and retaining dungeon-like meathead gyms as the usual for physique-based athletes, most folk need to see progress. Everyone seems to be wanting a greater high quality of life, extra prize cash, and extra recognition. That every one requires trying on the large image and it’s all of the extra purpose we’d like extra guys like Samson Dauda holding key titles and fewer guys like Ramy and Hadi. Have a look at Dorian. He took plenty of flack for being remoted and that was within the pre-social-media 90’s!! Even then individuals discovered his isolation counterproductive. Think about how backward it’s in 2023.
We are able to’t maintain rewarding opponents who’re lazy – I don’t care how nice their physiques are!! In the event that they don’t promote the game, they’ll’t win. That’s to not say that what they current on stage isn’t vital. It’s virtually 95% of every thing! Simply have a look at the man who we’re speaking about.
Dauda is tall, muscular, and symmetrical. Not like most of the mass monsters which can be fairly frankly disagreeable to have a look at, he’s pushing a glance that’s simple to market. Let’s not overlook that very very like athletes try to win over the judges by getting the perfect scores so too is the game of bodybuilding attempting to win over the mainstream with champions individuals will probably be impressed with. Making individuals sigh or be disgusted could get that freak issue going however that’s not what’s going to win over new followers.
As freaky and gnarly as Nick Walker could also be, you inform me, which physique do you assume is prettier to have a look at? Nick’s or Samson’s? Once more, it’s a wierd adjective outdoors of our world, however talking relative to muscle, symmetry, and stability, which of those two guys has a greater look? I believe it’s night time and day. One man presents an inventive look the place all sides compliments the opposite. To see a large man with veins popping all over the place and searching like a fridge, that’s not going to win hearts and minds. Present bodybuilding followers will probably be followers for all times and have in all probability been following alongside since they have been in highschool. They’re not going wherever and whereas it’s essential to maintain your diehard followers completely satisfied it’s additionally vital to assume outdoors the field and attempt for brand new followers.
Arnold as a promoter has had luck to find champions that truly do one thing with regards to selling his occasion and the game usually. Though Nick Walker didn’t efficiently defend his title in 2023 he was there. That claims loads as a result of there’s plenty of contests that don’t see their titles defended. It’s additionally nice to see earlier years’ winners within the combine. It tells the world that it’s a title that’s wanted and it at all times will increase the manufacturing worth of a present to have earlier champions there gunning to get the title again.
Actually earlier than Arnold raised the prize cash by $100k, Samson was one of many six guys who have been dedicated to battling it out in Columbus. He had his eyes set on the prize. In spite of everything, the ASC is the second largest contest within the sport. You wouldn’t have identified it by the truth that individuals have been dropping like flies and only a few people appeared inclined to sign-up in 2023. Regardless of the case could also be all of it labored out and Samson went on to win probably the most aggressive Arnold Classics in modern-day historical past. And what’s nice about his win is that the actual work began after he claimed the title. He didn’t take his winnings and trip off into the sundown.
I’ve an amazing quantity of religion in Dauda and I consider the work he’s finished to this point reveals that that is simply the tip of the iceberg. I imply we may simply sit right here and discuss how he trains or how spectacular his physique is however I believe specializing in the good work he’s doing rising the game is vital. We now have a reigning Mr. Olympia who could be smart to take a web page from Dauda’s playbook. He nonetheless has 5 or so months the place he may really begin getting out on the planet, being seen, and if anything making nice cash by selling himself and his sponsors. Sadly, I believe it’s going to take a brand new Mr. Olympia to see that type of work ethic. Whether or not it’s Samson, Derek, or Brandon, we’ll have a Mr. O who sees the larger image and is aware of the significance of being at occasions and actually working up their social media.
I couldn’t be happier with the reigning Arnold Basic champion we have now. I additionally love the actual fact he understands how a lot the followers recognize seeing him posing alongside one other prime man like Derek Lunsford. On the finish of the day, cutting-edge content material doesn’t require plenty of bells and whistles. Generally one thing so simple as a few guys hitting some poses and chit chatting about what present they’ll be presenting or visitor posing at subsequent is all that it takes. However the followers must see and listen to from the celebs. Something in need of that simply isn’t going to chop it in 2023 and past.
