Contests and competitions not always make sense to those taking part.
More often than not you find an awful of entries that YOU would have place on the podium while some that were declared a winner might not even be creative enough in your view.
Some use a panel of judges, other do it based on user votes/feedback to get the candidates worthy for a price consideration.
I have been in the game long enough to no longer bother as there is no real contests that make sense if you ask me.
The rules are fishy and incomplete best, often more confusing than explaining.
If you enter in the hopes of winning you are already doing things wrong…
Come with no expectations and just ignore things until the winners are declared.
Did not makes it? Boo-hoo! Check what made the others win, where you can improve on design and presentation features and try again in the next contest.
If you are not after fame and freebies you can always register with places like Etsy or Cults3D to provide free and paid models.
And if no one downloads them there you at least won’t have hopes of winning a contest shattered.
On the other hand, if your model stand out and attracts enough people you can make far more money than with these contests…