#Rio2016: Qatari high jumper wins country's first ever silver

Qatari high jumper Mutaz Barshim won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics on Tuesday – a first for the small Gulf country.

The 25-year-old lost out to Canada's Derek Drouin after he failed to clear 2.38m, however, he was guaranteed the second place spot after jumping 2.36m.

"Thank God, we were hoping for the gold but we got the silver today at Rio. We hope for even better in the future God willing," Barshim tweeted out after his unprecedented achievement.

The silver-medalist also posted a video of himself online celebrating with the crowd.

Barshim won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Games and a gold at the 2014 World Indoor Championships.

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani phoned the athlete at the Olympic Stadium to congratulate him on winning the country's first silver medal.

This is a big win for Qatari athletics as Barshim is a native of the country.

Many critics have criticised Qatar and other Gulf states of "buying" athletes to win medals.

Qatar's handball team contains only three players born there; 23 of its 38 Olympic athletes were recruited from other countries.

Bahrain's two medalists at the Rio Games were both born in Kenya and the UAE's medalist is originally from Moldova.

The Arabic-language hashtag #YallaQatar (Come on Qatar) has recently gained traction on Twitter.

Translation: "We have raised our heads up high. Our flag has been raised at the most important sporting event. Thank you Mutaz Barshim."

Translation: "Years of exhausting training, a strict diet and determination to make his country proud have given [Barshim] his first silver."