Former All Blacks five-eighth star Dan Carter won the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award.

The Kiwi rugby star defeated a list of international sporting superstars that includes tennis’ world No.1s Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, athletics champ Usain Bolt, golf’s no. 1 Jordan Spieth, and swimmer Katie Ledecky. The award was decided for the first time by public vote

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

Carter said he was “honoured” to be recognised alongside top talented sportsmen around the world in an “incredibly competitive shortlist,” reports NZ Herald. Carter was also crowned World Rugby player of the year after helping the All Blacks win against Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where he scored 19 points in his Final Test before taking up a French club contract.

Carter becomes the second Kiwi to win the honour after Jonah Lomu in 1995, and is the only second rugby players ever to take home the award. The award was won last year by Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The award will be given at a ceremony at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Dec. 20, which will be hosted by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan, according to Stuff.co.nz. This year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards have been uptight due to the nomination of world heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury into the individual recognition. Fury, who was known for his controversial style, attitude and sexist and homophobic comments he has made, was petitioned to have him removed from the finalists.

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