Mr. Olympia Finals Set Saturday at 61st Joe Weider Olympia Weekend

The 61st Joe Weider Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend opens in Las Vegas on Thursday and runs through Sunday, Oct. 9 to 12, with the marquee Mr. Olympia finals set for Saturday night at Resorts World. Prejudging rounds will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, and the weekend will feature all 11 IFBB Pro League divisions, including Mens Open, Classic Physique, Mens 212, Mens Physique, Womens Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Fitness, Wellness, and Wheelchair divisions.

Samson Dauda arrives in Las Vegas as the defending Mr. Olympia and is widely viewed as a leading contender to repeat after upsetting Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan last year. He will face a deep field of 20 qualified athletes that includes three other former Sandow winners Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Brandon Curry as well as top challengers Nick Walker, Andrew Jacked, Martin Fitzwater and a slate of debutants and rising stars. Behrooz Tabani, who secured a U.S. visa after repeated attempts, will make his Olympia debut and is among several newcomers who could reshuffle the standings. Organizers list the Mens Open roster as representing more than 10 countries.