Zhou, the number one seed after the ranking round, topped the podium after she scored an under-pressure nine in the shoot-off, while Lin could only manage a seven.

The Chinese duo could not be separated in a fascinating gold medal encounter as both archers scored a total of 138 points in the regulation period.

Zhou and Lin, the World Championships silver medallist, were level after the first end having both achieved 27 points before the eventual winner threatened to pull away.

Lin fought her way back into the match but ultimately could not overcome her compatriot, who ensured she added individual gold to the team title she won earlier on at the event in the Brazilian city.

"I am very happy," said Zhou.

"I was also very happy that my team-mate won silver. 

"We are very close friends and that we both medalled, I am happy.

"My mother, we were on the telephone and she said, ‘Daughter, you must go and win another gold medal’.

"So I felt a little bit pressure, but I’m okay!"

Somayeh Abbaspour of Iran endured a torrid finale to the event as she lost her semi-final to Lin with an ill-timed miss, allowing the Chinese athlete to set up a meeting with Zhou in the battle for gold.

The Iranian archer then suffered defeat in the bronze medal contest as she was beaten 140-138 by South Korea's Kim Mi-Soon.

Britain's John Walker produced his best form when it mattered as he reigned supreme in the men's individual W1 event, battling to a 141-139 win against David Drahoninsky of the Czech Republic.

Bronze went the way of Peter Kinik of Slovakia, who proved too strong for Uwe Herter of Germany with a 133-15 triumph.

It was a day to forget for defending Paralympic champion Jeff Fabry of the United States, who crashed out at the first round stage.