The two athletes emerged as stars for the host nation as Brazil became the first South American nation to stage the Games.

Silva was the winner of Brazil’s first gold medal when she claimed a golden point victory in women’s under-57 kilograms final, overcoming Mongolia's Sumiya Dorjsuren

Silva took up sport - first football and then judo - principally as a means to try to escape trouble in the notorious City of God favela community in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

The 2013 world champion was also chosen as the most popular athlete, after a vote on Team Brazil’s social networks.

Queiroz was also honoured with the Athlete of the Year prize having become the first Brazilian to win three medals at the same Olympic Games.

He won C-1 1,000 metre silver at the Games, as well as winning bronze in both the C1 200m and C2 1000m.

"We are here to honour the athletes, true owners of this ceremony, and all those who were fundamental to the success of Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the most spectacular Olympic history,” said Carlos Nuzman, President of the COB and Rio 2016.

“Thanks to the Brazilian Olympic Confederations, to the Governments and to all who helped to make the most incredible Games in history.”

The Coaches of the Year awards were presented to Spain’s Jesus Morlán for his work with the canoe sprint team, as well as Rogério Micale, who guided Brazil’s men's football team to their first gold.

The two-time Olympic volleyball coach Bernardo Rezende received the Adhemar Ferreira da Silva’s Trophy, which aims to reflect an individual’s positive example to the sport.

On the evening, Brazil’s women’s 4x100m team from Beijing 2008 were presented with bronze medals from the Games.

The team of Lucimar Moura, Rosangela Santos, Rosemar Coelho Neto and Thaissa Presti had initially finished in fourth place at the Games, behind Russia, Belgium and Nigeria.

Russia’s Yulia Chermoshanskaya was sanctioned as part of the IOC's re-testing of samples from the Games, having tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.

As a result Russia were stripped of their gold medal, with Belgium, Nigeria and Brazil moving up the podium places.

The Brazilian team were presented with their medals by Nuzman.