In fine form after sweeping the apparatus titles, the 16-year-old scored 137.450 overall to win her fifth individual gold medal.

Russian two-time Olympic champion Evgeniya Kanaeva is the only other gymnast to have achieved the feat in 2009 and 2011.

"The last day is always the hardest one, and I’m really happy to have survived," Varfolomeev said. 

"I felt a little bit weak today, but the spectators helped me get through it, and I’m really happy they did.

"This medal is more important for me than the medals in the apparatus competitions."

Varfolomeev pipped reigning champion Sofia Raffaeli of Italy, who settled for silver with a score of 135.700.

The bronze medal went to Daria Atamanov of Israel, who scored 131.400.

Varfolomeev, who is only 16, survived a scare in the ribbon routine, trailing Raffaeli by almost three points at the halfway stage.

However, she recovered with a 35.100 in hoop and a 35.650 in the ball for sealing the title.