[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.

Tug of War (1–10)

DRAGON ROPE: The Ultimate Best vs. Best

This pays homage to the movie title “Dragon Ball Z: The Ultimate Strongest versus the Strongest.” Here, “Dragon Ball” becomes “DRAGON ROPE,” making it “DRAGON ROPE: The Ultimate Strongest versus the Strongest.” A tug-of-war rope and a dragon’s form kind of look alike, don’t they? Please feel free to use this unique title that seems to blend the two together!

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I’m gonna pull the rope—pretty wild, right?

When you hear the phrase “Wairudo darou?” (“Pretty wild, right?”), you think of the comedian Sugichan, right? How about using his signature catchphrase to title the tug-of-war event: “We’re pulling that rope—pretty wild, right?” It combines the powerful image of pulling the rope with the “wild” element from his bit really well.

Just hearing this title could fire you up with the determination to go all out—strong and cool, without losing to the name.

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Dancing Great Tug-of-War Battle

This title is a play on the hit drama and film series “Bayside Shakedown” (Odoru Daisousasen).

It swaps out the “Daisousasen” part to become “Odoru Ōtsunahiki-sen Sōsamō,” combining the idea of conducting an investigation across a web of lines with waging battle atop a massive rope.

It’s a clever mash-up, and fans of the original series might especially like adopting this title for a tug-of-war event.

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Attack on Tug-of-War: Pull the rope, but not the heart.

The grand title, symbolic of a clash of strength and will, leaves a strong impression.

Based on the world of Attack on Titan, the naming boosts participants’ morale and conveys tension and anticipation to the audience.

It highlights not just winning or losing, but the drama of pulling the rope without giving up until the very end, which will heighten the excitement during the event.

The added slogan line—“Our hearts will not be pulled back”—is appealing as it emphasizes the conviction and camaraderie behind the competition.

Incorporating visuals reminiscent of stone walls, armor, and titans will further enhance the worldbuilding.

It’s a memorable event name that combines power with a clear message.

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mutō

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My heart wants to play tug-of-war.

This is the name of a competition inspired by the work that drew attention in anime and live-action film, The Anthem of the Heart.

The idea is that it asserts you are following your heart as you face the event.

It’s also notable that this wording is used for tug-of-war rather than a running event.

Instead of an impulsive action like running, it claims that one’s heart is commanding the act of pulling a rope—something you’d only do at a school sports day—which invites playful retorts from those around you.

Making people wonder, “In what situation would that happen?” is important for drawing attention to the event, I think.

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kappamaki

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Ball Toss & Ball Rolling (1–10)

Here are some unique event names recommended for ball-toss and ball-rolling games.

Some are playful twists on anime titles, giving them a distinctive flair.

It feels like anything goes—you can even run the events with a sense of freedom, doing them however you like.

The vibe is a bit different from the earnest image of tossing balls or the straightforward feel of rolling games.

If everyone brainstorms the names together, it’ll be even more fun to come up with ideas.

Leaning into a comedic angle is highly recommended!

Attack on Giant Ball (Oodama Korogashi)

How about “Attack on the Giant Ball” as the event name for the big-ball rolling? It’s a play on the title of the globally popular manga Attack on Titan.

The big-ball rolling event, where competitors battle using a large ball, overlaps in spirit with Attack on Titan, which features clashes with giant beings.

It’s a powerful, impactful title that fits the event perfectly.

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Tama Courier (Ball Toss)

A title that might make you chuckle, as if the black cat Jiji were going to play a ball-tossing game: “Ball Delivery Service.” It’s a play on the title of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service.

It suggests a determination to diligently deliver all the scattered balls to the basket, just like a courier!

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