Samson Dauda wins the 2023 Arnold Classic Men’s Open title.
The 2023 Arnold Classic has come to an end, and the bodybuilding world has a new winner. Samson Dauda has finally won a major title, defeating some of the best bodybuilders in the world.
Samson Dauda went into the show, knowing that Nick Walker was one of the main favorites to win his second title, and Andrew Jacked would also be a favorite to win the title.
The odds would change the minute Samson stepped on the Arnold Classic stage, presenting a very pleasing physique, showing the perfect balance of mass and definition.
Combining a great posing routine, dedicated to his sponsor and friend, Fouad Abiad, Samson would be difficult to beat. Samson was a great candidate for the best poser award, but that went to Andrew Jacked.
Samson’s coach, Milos Sarcev, will be celebrating his athletes victory, after a very positive year of progress.
Not only will Samson have the bragging rights of winning the Arnold Classic, but he takes home an incredible cash prize of $300,000, an increase of $100,000 from 2022.
We can expect a lot more from Samson, and he will definitely be one of the top favorites to challenge Hadi Choopan for the 2023 Olympia title.
2021 Arnold Classic winner, Nick Walker, looked very disappointment after placing second to Samson.
Going into the show, the majority of media predicted that Nick Walker would win his second Arnold Classic title.
Nick also presented a large physique, with a granite look, making the rest of the lineup look soft in certain poses.
It was evident from the start, that the battle would be between Nick, Samson and Andrew Jacked.
When the top three were put side by side, it was evident that Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked, had slightly better leg development compared to Nick.
Nick still takes home $120,000 for his second places results, and another $10,000 for winning the Franco Columbu Most Muscular Award.
It will be expected that Walker will shut it down, and make his next contest appearance at the 2023 Mr. Olympia.
The top two results could have been easily switched between Nick and Samson, but it would be Samson who received the nod from the judges.
Andrew Jacked, another favorite going into the show, had to settle for third place. A great result for his first Arnold Classic USA appearance, but many expected him to lidt the title, especially his team made up of Chris Aceto and Chris “Psycho” Lewis.
Presenting the biggest physique on stage, Andrew shocked the bodybuilding world with his great combination of size and condition.
Standing net to Samson and Nick, it was evident that Andrew still has some work to do, especially on his back, but he will surely be ready for the 2023 Mr. Olympia, if he qualifies for the event.
Taking home $70,000 and another $10,000 for winning the Ed Corney Best Poser Award, is a fantastic accomplishment for Andrew’s first Arnold Classic victory.
Two-time Mr. Olympia Big Ramy had to settle for fourth place. The mass monster from Egypt, wanted to redeem himself, after losing his Olympia title to Hadi Choopan, and placing fifth at the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
Big Ramy made some massive improvements for the 2023 Arnold Classic, but the judges were not impressed and pushed him to the side when judging started.
Standing next to the eventual winner Samson Dauda, Big Ramy started to show some weaknesses in certain poses, especially the front double bicep pose.
A few years ago, Big Ramy was the biggest bodybuilder on stage, but with the introduction of Samson and Andrew Jacked, Big Ramy started to look vulnerable.
After losing his Mr. Olympia title and placing fifth, and now placing fourth at the Arnold Classic, Big Ramy might make a change in his coaching staff, cutting ties with his current coach Chad Nicholls.
The Shaun “The Giant Killer” Clarida, had to settle for fifth place, which is a very good result for the two-time 212 Olympia winner, competing in the open division.
During the comparisons, it was evident, no matter how conditioned he looked, Shaun could not defeat his fellow oppoents, how were more than twice his size.
Shaun has proven himself on the open stage, by defeating opponents which include, Sergio Oliva Jr, and Regan Grimes.
Akim Williams could not hide his emotions after finishing in sixth place. Going into the show, Akim was not a favorite to win the event, but placing sixth was a very good result.
Akim is always one of the biggest bodybuilders on stage, but he still needs to work on his condition.
Regardless, Akim placed ahead of two-time Arnold Classic winner, William Bonac, proving he still can squeeze out some decent results.
One man that expected to place higher is two-time Arnold Classic winner William Bonac.
Having to settle for seventh place, this will truly be a result that Bonac will want to forget.
Going into the 2023 Arnold Classic, Bonac created some controversy when he revealed he had some kidney issues, but the after a few weeks, confirmed that he was healthy.
Falling to ninth at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, and now finishing in seventh at the Arnold Classic, it is evident that Bonac is on a slight decline.
Bonac presented a very good physique, much more improved from his 2022 Mr. Olympia showing, but going up against the younger, bigger athletes, Bonac is having a hard time keeping up.
In some of the relaxed poses, it was evident that Bonac is suffering from a slightly wide waist, compared to his previous years.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Bonac. Just like Big Ramy, Bonac is going through a negative patch, and remains to be seen if he will continue to work with his coach Chad Nicholls.
Rounding off the final three places, Justin Rodriguez finished in eighth, Kamal Elgargni had to settle for ninth, while Patrick Moore finished in tenth.
Justin Rodriguez presented a physique with great size, but he has a lot of work to do on his condition.
Focusing on the veteran of the sport, Kamal Elgargni, competing at the age of 51, it was evident that father time is taking its course, and this most probably could be the last year we see Kamal compete at the highest level.
Kamal has a resume of victories that will be difficult to match, proving himself all over the world, winning the most prestigious titles as an amateur and professional bodybuilder.
Patrick Moore made a return to the bodybuilding stage, after taking some time of to regroup and recover from a leg injury.
Patrick presented great upper body development, but he was suffering in the leg department. During the competitive season, if Patrick makes some slight improvements, he can still earn his qualification for the 2023 Mr. Olympia.
Black & White photos by James Ayotte.
2023 Arnold Classic Bodybuilding Results
Winner — Samson Dauda, $300,000
Second Place — Nick Walker, $120,000
Third Place — Andrew Jacked, $70,000
Fourth Place — Big Ramy, $37,500
Fifth Place — Shaun Clarida, $20,000
Sixth Place — Akim Williams, $12,500
Seventh Place — William Bonac, $2,000
Eighth Place — Justin Rodriguez, $2,000
Ninth Place — Kamal Elgargni, $2,000
Tenth Place — Patrick Moore, $2,000
Franco Columbu Most Muscular Award — Nick Walker
Ed Corney Best Poser Award — Andrew Jacked
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