Great job on this photo when I saw it I really liked it I am surprised you didn't do better. I really like the tight crop and good use of the rule of thirds. I think you did a great job with the Black and white here. Congrats on the first challenge hope to see more of you around here you did fairly well for a first entire.
The tones of this image a its subject are compelling...but there is an optical illusion which distracts. The left side of the image appears shorter and skewed--a trick of the darks and lights, no doubt.