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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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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Relay race (11–20)

single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu

King Gnu – Ichizu

single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu

This song features an impressive, grand sound written as the theme for the anime film Jujutsu Kaisen 0.

Since its release in December 2021, it has topped the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles chart and went on to rank No.

1 on the combined yearly singles chart the following year.

Its powerful guitar riffs, driving drum beats, and the rich harmonies woven by the two vocalists are truly stirring.

Singing of the resolve and determination to give everything for a loved one, the track showcases King Gnu’s signature mixture rock sound.

It’s a highly recommended song when you want to take on something with all your might or fire yourself up.

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GOATNumber_i

Number_i – GOAT (Official Music Video)

GOATNumber_i

Number_i’s track delivers a confident message with a powerful, all-rap sound.

Its lyrics, filled with fiery passion and strong self-affirmation, give listeners the courage and energy to take on challenges.

The music video, released in January 2024, surpassed 10 million views in just three days, setting a record as the fastest for a debut song by a male artist in Japan.

With its grand beat and compelling message, this song is perfect as BGM to fire up athletes aiming for victory in a tug-of-war at a school sports day! The high-tempo rhythm will quicken heartbeats and draw out the team’s unity.

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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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chantAdo

"Spell" by Ado

chantAdo

A bold work by Ado that paints a passionate stage, drawing in the audience with a groundbreaking sound that fuses electro swing and J-pop.

Her powerful vocals—charged with a resolve for self-expression and a strong will to captivate—leave a striking impression.

Selected as the theme song for Universal Studios Japan’s Halloween Horror Nights held from September to November 2023, this piece thrilled countless visitors.

Its exhilarating pace makes it perfect as relay BGM, and it’s highly recommended for moments when you want to boost your spirits or fire yourself up.

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OtonokeCreepy Nuts

Creepy Nuts – Otonoke [Official MV] [Dandadan Opening]

OtonokeCreepy Nuts

The opening theme of the TV anime Dandadan captivates listeners with beats that get under your skin and intelligent wordplay.

Its world built around the theme of the occult blends perfectly with a high-velocity sound, expressing—through an occult lens—the way music seizes the human heart.

The unique atmosphere, where eeriness and dynamism coexist, further accentuates the anime’s worldview.

This track is perfect for moments when you want to boost your spirits or take on a new challenge.

With Creepy Nuts’ signature powerful sound, it’s sure to energize events like sports days and athletic festivals.

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