ELY man Nato Ficarra was crowned European Karate s Champion of Champions this week at a special ceremony in Italy. Ficarra, 41, was handed the award in Milan by the president of the Italian Karate Federation (FIKTA) Giuseppe Perlati, in recognition for

ELY man Nato Ficarra was crowned European Karate's 'Champion of Champions' this week at a special ceremony in Italy.

Ficarra, 41, was handed the award in Milan by the president of the Italian Karate Federation (FIKTA) Giuseppe Perlati, in recognition for his recent success in the sports European Championships.

Ficarra was crowned singles and team champion in December 2008 for a second time, after first winning the titles 16 years previously, a feat never before achieved in the sport.

A delighted Ficarra said: "The awards evening was a special event for me and it was great to have been recognised for doing what I love.

"I will be able to take some time off now before I start up my training again in September to try and defend my title which I am very much looking forward to.

"I am also hoping to be able to get the Wadoryu discipline of the sport into the Olympics in the future and I would love to be involved in that in some way as well.