[Make Sports Day More Approachable!] Unique Event Names: Fun Competition Titles by Category

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.

Sports festivals are one of the big events for students, aren’t they?

And even among working adults, there are people who join company or community sports days and enjoy them just like students do.

Did you know that lately some sports day events have been given amusing names?

In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of humor-filled, unique event names—from ones that make you chuckle to cleverly crafted titles that are truly impressive.

Teachers and organizing committee members who are deciding on sports day event names, please feel free to use these as inspiration.

We hope this helps make your sports day even more exciting.

Running Events (1–10)

I’ve come from my past lives to pass you the baton (relay)

This is an event name inspired by the lyrics of RADWIMPS’ “Zenzenzense,” the well-known theme song of the film Your Name.

The concept seems to express how much feeling is carried in the baton that’s passed along in a relay.

Its uniquely striking point is the weighty claim that the runner has come from a time even before a previous life to hand the baton to the next person.

The wording may feel a bit over-the-top, but it invites playful reactions and could draw attention to the event.

The worldview of the work also evokes a refreshing atmosphere, encouraging participants to take on the competition with a positive attitude.

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Princess Monoyoke (obstacle course)

It’s a competition name inspired by the title of the film “Princess Mononoke,” which clearly conveys that it’s an obstacle race.

The noteworthy point is that the idea of clearing placed obstacles is expressed simply by changing a single character.

The title stays as faithful as possible to the sound of the original while still clearly communicating what the event involves.

Since some obstacles likely can’t be cleared just by dodging them, the title also prompts playful critiques on that point, which helps draw more attention to the competition.

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Don’t worry, I’ll run straight (in the footrace).

This is a competition name inspired by Yasumura’s signature gag, “Don’t worry, I’m wearing them.” The idea is to convey to those around you that you’re earnestly taking on the event—for example, by replacing the “I’m wearing them” part with something related to the sport.

Phrases like “I’ll run straight,” the kind of obvious lines that make you want to quip back, can highlight the fun of the event.

By creating points that invite a comedic retort, you may be able to draw more attention to the competition.

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Can’t fall, can’t be overtaken, dragonight

A humor-filled event name inspired by SEKAI NO OWARI’s “DRAGON NIGHT.” Its tense phrasing and distinctive rhythm leave a strong impression, bringing lighthearted laughter that eases the atmosphere of a sports day.

It’s a perfect match for events like obstacle races or ball tosses, where small mistakes can decide the outcome.

Participants naturally sharpen their focus to avoid tripping or being overtaken, creating a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat development in the competition.

Adding production touches that evoke the song—such as background music or costumes—will heighten the excitement even more.

This naming delivers a fresh sports-day event concept where both humor and heat can be enjoyed.

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Running is tough but useful.

This is the name of a competition inspired by the title of the well-known drama starring Gen Hoshino and Yui Aragaki, “We Married as a Job” (original title: ‘Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu’).

It acknowledges the hardship of giving your all to the event while conveying that these efforts will be useful in the future.

Another highlight is the positive, cheerful feeling that comes from both the wording and the image of the original work.

By specifically mentioning how it will be “useful for ___,” you may also help increase participants’ focus on the competition.

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If they get ahead of me, I’ll pay them back double!

This is a hot-blooded relay event name that incorporates the famous line from the drama Hanzawa Naoki, which became a social phenomenon.

It conveys the fighting spirit to take back the lead immediately even if you’re overtaken once, and it fires up the runners’ determination.

Because it’s themed around dramatic comebacks during the race, the unfolding action keeps spectators glued to the very end.

Using a weighty, drama-like design and flame-clad lettering on the poster will further emphasize the slogan’s impact.

As teams devise strategies and pour everything into the final lap, their unity will naturally grow stronger.

It’s a memorable idea that makes the event itself feel like a self-contained drama.

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Running events (11–20)

Get the bread before anyone else (bread-eating race)

A new name for a bread-eating race inspired by AKB48’s smash hit “Flying Get.” It captures the urge to leap forward at the hanging bread right in front of you, syncing perfectly with the song’s high energy to inject momentum and flair into the event itself.

Competitors timing their moves to seize a split-second chance create scene after scene that truly embodies the spirit of “Flying Get.” Add festival-style staging and you’ll spark excitement like a live concert.

Include visuals evoking stages and lights on the poster to convey even more fun.

With a catchy, upbeat event name, this idea will raise the venue’s voltage.

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