Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day

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.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Many people struggle with choosing songs for sports day, don’t they?

Here, we introduce perfect tracks for each scene—from classic staples ideal for sports day to upbeat J-pop and Western hits that get everyone excited!

Well-known songs can hype up the crowd, but using the same ones every year can get old…

We’ve curated a selection of tracks to solve that problem.

You’ll find refreshing tunes that make you want to start running and motivational anthems that give you courage.

Use this article as a guide to make your sports day even more fun and exciting!

Relay race (1–10)

BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – BOW AND ARROW

BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

A song by Kenshi Yonezu, written as the opening theme for the figure-skating anime “Medalist” and released in January 2025.

With a melody full of drive and a powerful sound, it brilliantly captures the exhilaration of the moment you surge toward your goal.

Centered on themes of mutual support and the courage to take on challenges, the piece likens achieving one’s goals to a “bow and arrow.” Used as BGM for a relay at a school sports day, it would not only fire up the runners but also draw passionate cheers from the crowd.

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lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

How about livening up your sports day with this track, known for its emotional vocals? Released in April 2024 and selected as the opening theme for the TV anime “Oblivion Battery,” this song shines with Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s signature refreshing rock sound.

Its lyrics dynamically capture the complex emotions of youth, resonating with many listeners.

Play it as background music for a relay, and the kids are sure to feel even more motivated!

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Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Is Youth Embarrassing?' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Hazukashiika Seishun wa

Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it's embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

This is a dynamic, invigorating track that dramatically portrays an all-out sprint.

Looking back as an adult, it brings to mind that fiery page of youth when we ran with everything we had.

Produced in July 2024 as the theme song for ABEMA’s “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita Summer Vacation 2024,” the piece achieves an epic sense of scale through a collaboration with a 40-piece orchestra.

Its powerful melody and driving sound gently encourage young people to move forward without fear of taking on new challenges.

It’s also an ideal choice for background music at school sports days and athletic events.

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I can only face forwardAKB48

[MV full] We Only Look Forward / AKB48 [Official]

I can only face forwardAKB48

This is a breathtaking AKB48 track distinguished by a rock-inspired sound that embodies a powerful cry from the heart.

The lyrics, infused with a resolve to keep moving forward, together with the dynamic melody, fill listeners with courage and energy.

Released in February 2014 and recording an initial sales figure of approximately 1.091 million copies, the song was also used in commercials for Dip’s job information site “Baitoru.” Its powerful performance and passionate message make it a reliable ally in moments when you want to inspire unity and motivation—such as a tug-of-war at a school sports day.

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lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

A work that delicately portrays the radiance and bitterness of youth, as well as the conflicts that come with growing up, was released by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE in April 2024.

Gently wrapping bittersweet memories and the dawn of new love, the song has been selected as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “Oblivion Battery,” winning the hearts of listeners across generations.

It strikes a superb balance between a powerful melody riding on a brisk rhythm and lyrics that finely depict the inner heart.

Within Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s characteristically bright, pop sound, the anxieties and hopes unique to youth—and the way we face ourselves—are skillfully interwoven, making it a motivating anthem for practice ahead of school sports days and athletic festivals.

At the 66th Japan Record Awards, it won the Grand Prize, marking the first-ever back-to-back victory by a band.

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The BeginningONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK – The Beginning [Official Music Video]

The BeginningONE OK ROCK

This song delivers a deeply moving experience, with powerhouse vocals and a band sound so compelling it gives you goosebumps.

It captures the determination of those taking a new step forward and carries a message that pushes you from behind, radiating a power that resonates more with every listen.

Released in August 2012, it was chosen as the theme song for the film Rurouni Kenshin, and through its synergy with the movie, it captured the hearts of a wide audience, reaching No.

5 on the Oricon charts.

Perfect as BGM for time trials or relay events, this track offers a refreshing sense of speed and the courage to take on challenges—be sure to experience it.

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Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy

Monster’s Flower Song / Vaundy: MUSIC VIDEO

Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster's Flower Song)Vaundy

This is a moving piece by Vaundy that depicts the powerful determination to pursue one’s dreams, guided by a cherished song of memories held in the heart.

With a warm tone that cheers on adults who tend to lose their innocent passion and awakens the origins sleeping within, it leaves a strong impression.

Since its release in May 2020, its singable, catchy melody and powerful sound have gradually gained popularity, reaching No.

3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in January 2023.

The exhilarating rhythm and fiery message make it perfect as background music for a relay where you and your teammates aim for first place.

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