LONDON, Dec 19 — New Zealand’s World Cup-winning fly-half Dan Carter has been elected the BBC’s Overseas Sports Personality of the Year for 2015, the broadcaster announced today.

The 33-year-old, who recently joined French club Racing 92, was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year for the third time after inspiring the All Blacks to retain the World Cup in England in October.

In a public vote, he beat Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, American swimmer Katie Ledecky, world number one golfer Jordan Spieth and tennis great Serena Williams to the BBC award.

“I’m thrilled to have been voted BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year by the UK public,” Carter said. “It’s been an incredible year for me on British soil and the support has been phenomenal.

“It was an incredibly competitive shortlist and I'm honoured to have been recognised alongside these great sportsmen and women from around the world.” — AFP