Paula Pareto became Argentina's first woman Olympic gold medal winner in the judo as Brazilian Sarah Menezes' dream of delivering the hosts first medal was ended by injury.
Pareto saw off South Korea's Jeong Bo-Kyeong in the 48kg final to add to the bronze medal she won in Beijing eight years ago. Defending champion Menezes ended in the Olympic hospital with a disclocated shoulder.
"It is great for women's sport (in Argentina)," said Pareto after her win.
"If you enjoy what you do that is the key. I am glad to be an example of what you can do with hard work."
Pareto also became Argentina's first judo gold medallist.
"I have dreamed of this for so long and I am very happy for the support I received from the fans," she added after celebrating wildly in front of a sizeable Argentine support at the Carioca Arena in Rio's Olympic park.
"It is something incredible. I would never have thought I would do something like this.
"It is something that will mark my career and the rest of my life."
For 2012 champion Menezes, the dream of retaining her title on home soil was dashed when she was beaten by Cuban Dayaris Mestre Alvarez in the quarter-finals.
Menezes still had a shot at the podium through the repechages, but suffered a dislocated elbow in her clash with Urantsegtseg Munkhbat of Mongolia.
"She has been taken to the hospital at the Olympic village," confirmed Manoela Penna, spokesperson for the Brazilian judo federation.
Japan's Ami Kondo and Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh of Kazakhstan took the two bronze medals.
Pareto struggled early in the final and the contest even had to be briefly halted as she received treatment when she took an unintentional blow to the face from Jeong.
However, the 30-year-old battled back to land a waza-ari and defended her advantage to add Olympic gold to the world championship she won last year.
"I didn't think of the medals I had won before, but I thought about all the effort and everything I have fought for (to get here)," added Pareto.
"I am especially proud to be able to attract attention to a sport that is not well known in Argentina."
