Samson Dauda, the reigning champion of the Arnold Classic, has carved a remarkable niche in bodybuilding within a short span. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, the unsung hero in his journey is his wife, Marlena Gustowska, whose unconventional support has been a constant force.

Dauda often credits his success to Marlena, emphasizing her pivotal role since the inception of his bodybuilding pursuits. She not only stood by him but actively coached and aided him in achieving pinnacle accomplishments. Their hard work and dedication have undeniably paid off, propelling Dauda to the pinnacle of bodybuilding success. However, the tale of Marlena Gustowska, the woman behind the champion, remains mysterious.

When did Samson Dauda and Marlena Gustowaska tie the knot?

Despite the public attention that comes with being a fitness icon, this power couple has managed to keep their private life, well, private.  Details about the genesis of their love story, how they met, and the moment they fell for each other, are scant. Nevertheless, what is evident is the unbreakable bond they share. A cursory glance at their social media unveils a couple unreservedly expressing affection. From grand events to casual outings, their love radiates, reaching its zenith in unabashed public displays of affection.

On March 12, 2023, a significant moment in their love story unfolded: the Nigerian Lion took to his Instagram and shared a carousel of three pictures, featuring the dynamic couple amidst a lush green landscape. Their dog accompanied Marlena, clad in a gown, and Dauda deviated from his usual attire. The caption, “Best day ever 💐❤️ Mr & Mrs Dauda,” hinted at a clandestine wedding in March, unveiled to the world through this simple yet romantic Instagram post. The couple does not have a child yet, but they’re proud parents of a dog.

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Moreover, Dauda has consistently expressed gratitude towards his wife, reciprocated by Marlena on various occasions. Beyond being a pillar of support, Marlena boasts a journey of her own. Before transitioning into a full-time coach, she competed in several women’s physique competitions, leveraging her expertise to guide Dauda and numerous athletes toward their goals.

The reason behind Dauda’s remarkable success

During a Q&A session in 2020, Dauda acknowledged Marlena’s instrumental role, stating, “She (Marlena) has been training me right from day one when I first decided to bodybuild. She got me into bodybuilding and has been on my case since then. She knows all my diet, cycles, and everything I’ve been on from day one. She’s watched over everything, ensuring I put on weight rapidly year after year while maintaining my shape and size. The promise of a good coach, not genetics.”

The love story of this power couple is undeniably captivating. However, delving deeper into Dauda’s pre-bodybuilding era unveils another facet of his life. Before entering the bodybuilding scene, he toiled in construction, a stark departure from his current stature as a fitness icon.

Samson Dauda, a former construction worker turned full-time bodybuilder, shared his journey in a video where he revealed his transition from the construction site to the bodybuilding stage. He expressed, “I used to work in construction, used to be a maintenance worker at a care home. Basically, I’ve always worked in construction, being a builder from carpentry to joinery since I got out of college. But it’s only recently, in the past two weeks since I was in Korea, that I’ve actually become a full-time bodybuilder for the first time.”

During his South Korea show in 2020, Dauda made the pivotal decision to quit his full-time job and focus entirely on bodybuilding. However, bodybuilding wasn’t his initial passion. In his earlier years, he played rugby in college and school, receiving praise for his physique from friends who encouraged him to take bodybuilding seriously. In 2014, he started competing in local shows, marking the beginning of his bodybuilding journey.

Arnold Classic champ’s roots belong to Nigeria

Reflecting on his background, Dauda addressed questions about his nationality and tribal identity in one of his videos. When asked if he considered himself British or Nigerian, he responded, “I see myself first and foremost as Nigerian. Although, yeah, I’ve been living in the UK since I was a teen. I’m Nigerian-born but British-raised if that makes sense. I came here as a teenager. I’ve been back home a few times, so yeah, okay.”  He shared that his experiences growing up were heavily influenced by British culture, yet he maintains a strong connection to his Nigerian heritage. Dauda emphasized that he’s had the opportunity to visit Nigeria several times, which further strengthens his ties to his homeland.

Regarding his tribe, Dauda revealed that his family comes from diverse backgrounds. They reside in the northern region of Nigeria and belong to the Hausa tribe. However, his family’s roots trace back to the East, with his father hailing from the Edo tribe and his mother belonging to the Igbo tribe.

This unique mix of Hausa, Edo, and Igbo heritage makes Dauda a blend of various Nigerian cultures. He affectionately describes, “I am a mixed concoction of Hausa because I live there in Kaduna. And dad is Ibo because he lived in the east and Edo, so I’m a mix of all three.” His revelation about his culture showcased that these three tribes symbolized the rich diversity within his family.

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