The 26-year old, who won skeet gold at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, enjoyed another stunning season which ended with victory at the Shotgun World Championships in Lonato, Italy.

Victory gave Hancock the third world title of his career, having triumphed at the 2005 and 2009 editions of the Championships.

He also claimed victories at the ISSF World Cup events in Gabala and Acapulco, where he equalled the world record qualification score, before earning silver at the 2015 World Cup Final in Nicosia, Cyprus.

“It's an amazing honour for being selected as 2015 ISSF Shooter of the year for the second time in my career, ten years after winning the title the first time back in 2005," he said.

“A lot of things changed in these years, and it's nice to be honoured again.

“I had a good season again last year, and I fulfilled my goal to make it to the United States' Olympic team.

“I will continue to build up for the Olympics throughout the season, Rio 2016 is the ultimate goal, I want to win my third Olympic gold medal there.”

Hancock was named as the winner of the award after receiving the most votes by the ISSF Coaches Advisory Committee, Athletes Committee members and of a panel of international media representatives.

They were invited to vote for “role models, who are successful through unique performances, behaviour and character”.

Croatia’s Snjezana Pejcic was named as the winner of the women’s award, with the rifle shooter having claimed gold medals at the ISSF World Cup in Changwon, South Korea.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist also secured two silver medals at the Fort Benning stage of the World Cup, while she claimed bronze in the World Cup Final in Munich.

In Munich, Pejcic also set a qualifying world record in the 50 metre Rifle 3 Positions event.