DOUBLE European karate champion Nato Ficcarra, is set to receive a specially commissioned award at a ceremony in Milan in July. 41 year-old Nato, who last year managed to regain his title as European karate champion after first winning the title 17 years

DOUBLE European karate champion Nato Ficcarra, is set to receive a specially commissioned award at a ceremony in Milan in July.

41 year-old Nato, who last year managed to regain his title as European karate champion after first winning the title 17 years ago, is to receive a one-off 'champion of champions' award to commemorate his unprecedented achievement of two titles in different decades.

The delighted Ely man told the Ely Standard: "No-one has ever won this title in two different decades before so they phoned me and said they would like to give me a special award.

"A friend of mine who competes in kick-boxing recently won an award as well so I hope I get a nice-looking trophy as I've told him that mine will be bigger!"

Nato, who runs a number of karate gyms in Sutton and Cambridge, was crowned European champion in December after coming through 26 fights, including a thrilling battle with the then incumbent champion and German team captain.