Here's why it sounds awkward:
* Passive Voice: The sentence is in the passive voice ("had participated"). This is often less clear and direct than the active voice.
* Lack of Context: We don't know *who* participated in what. This lack of context makes the sentence feel incomplete.
Here are some better ways to phrase it:
* Active Voice: "You participated..."
* Adding Context: "You had participated in the competition..."
* More Specific: "You had participated in the debate earlier that day..."
The best choice will depend on the specific context of your sentence.