Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

Many teachers probably struggle to choose cheer songs that will liven up Sports Day.If it’s the same every year, it gets boring, but if it’s a song no one knows, it can fall flat.So we’ve gathered a selection of popular and classic tracks!They’re all well-known songs you’ve likely heard on TV and elsewhere, so both kids and adults can enjoy them.What’s more, when children perform as the cheer squad, it’s fun to create parody lyrics of the featured songs to add a unique touch!Use this as a guide to find the perfect cheer songs to energize your Sports Day!

Cheer songs to amp up the excitement at sports day! A collection of motivation-boosting tracks recommended for kids (11–20)

I am the strongest.Ado

[Ado] I’m the Strongest (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)

I am the strongest.Ado

Perfect for hyping up sports days and athletic festivals! This track resounds with Ado’s powerful vocals.

Its confident message and lyrics about the importance of connecting with others really strike a chord.

Featured as an insert song in the blockbuster film ONE PIECE FILM RED, released in August 2022, it captured the hearts of many.

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE provided the song, and Ado herself took on new challenges with it.

This piece gives you the courage to chase your dreams.

If everyone listens together to lift their spirits, it’s sure to make any sports day an absolute blast!

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DoraemonHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Doraemon (Official Video)

DoraemonHoshino Gen

If you’re going to perform a dance for a pep rally, I recommend Gen Hoshino’s “Doraemon.” It was written as the theme song for the film “Doraemon: Nobita’s Treasure Island,” and since 2019 it’s also been used as the opening theme for the TV broadcast version.

The music video features choreography by dancers, and there’s even a simplified choreography version uploaded on YouTube.

It’s a song that’s extremely well-known among children, so definitely give it a try!

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WanderlustGENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE

GENERATIONS / Wanderlust (Music Video) [YouTube Version]

WanderlustGENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE

Let’s pump up the energy with a bright, feel-good dance tune! Wonderlust, a track by the dance-vocal group GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, was included as the first song on their 2023 album X.

It was also selected as the theme song for Tokai Radio’s baseball broadcast program, Tokai Radio Guts Nighter.

Its driving rhythm, catchy melody, and vibrant vocals will lift your spirits! With lyrics that encourage you to “do what you want to do,” it’s a happy, uplifting cheer song.

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One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS

FUNKY MONKEY BABYS “One More”

One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS

With lyrics that evoke youthful energy, this is a great recommendation as a cheer song for sports festivals: “Ato Hitotsu” by the music group FUNKY MONKEY BABYS.

Released as a single in 2010, it was chosen that same year as the cheer song by Asahi Broadcasting for the Summer Koshien.

Masahiro Tanaka, a pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, appears in the music video.

The lyrics, which sing “Don’t give up,” are perfect for kids giving their all at a sports day.

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OH!SHISHAMO

SHISHAMO「OH！」

OH!SHISHAMO

“OH!” perfectly matches the image of students dashing across the stage of a fresh, youthful school life.

Released in 2019 by the three-piece rock band SHISHAMO, the song portrays the importance of striving within limited time.

Its lyrics, which encourage not worrying about others’ eyes and diving into sweaty, all-out effort—like running at a sports day—fit the event perfectly.

The passionate vocals of Asako Miyazaki, carried by the band’s exhilarating performance, convey fiery emotion.

Be sure to include this indispensable rock number as a cheer song to hype up your school sports festival!

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DREAMERIkuta Rira

DREAMER

DREAMERIkuta Rira

A gently embracing song that captures the feelings of young people chasing their dreams was released by Lila Ikuta in March 2025.

This work conveys a strong will to stay true to a passion for music while facing one’s inner self and overcoming anxieties and conflicts about the future.

The lyrics, filled with Ikuta’s authentic feelings, resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in three formats as a track on the single CD Hyakka Ryoran, it gained attention as an insert song in the drama Paripi Komei.

It’s a perfect cheer song for friends striving toward their dreams on culture festival and school festival stages, and a reliable companion when you want to rally yourself.

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Cheer songs to fire up the sports day! A collection of motivation-boosting tracks recommended for kids (21–30)

magic musicKimura Kaera

Kaela Kimura “Magic Music” [short ver.]

magic musicKimura Kaera

This is a vibrant summer tune by Kaela Kimura.

Created for summer festivals, its happy, positive worldview adds extra fun to children’s movements.

Set to a catchy melody, it sings about the magical power of music and the thrill of romance.

Released in June 2006, it was used as the commercial song for Toshiba’s portable media player “gigabeat” and as the ending theme for tvk’s program “sakusaku.” Although it wasn’t included on the album “Scratch,” it remains one of the artist’s most popular signature songs.

If you’re pairing it with a parachute (paraballoon) routine, this refreshing track is perfect for everyone to dance to.

Its lively, pop atmosphere will make bright, cheerful performances even more delightful.

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