Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved Anthems and Pump-Up Tracks That Overflow with Power
At those crucial moments—like during daily practice or right before an important match—music stays by our side and gives us tremendous strength.
Many of you probably listen to your favorite songs to boost your spirits as you head into those special moments.
In this article, we’ve picked out uplifting, heart-stirring anthems that raise your motivation.
From upbeat tracks that fire up your fighting spirit, to relaxing numbers that wrap you in a sense of calm, to athletes’ personal favorites—we’ve gathered a wide variety of songs.
We hope you’ll find them helpful.
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[Songs to Play Before a Match] Beloved by Athletes Too!? Power-Packed Anthems and Battle Tracks (181–190)
StoryAI
That powerful singing voice really leaves an impression.
This is a signature song by AI, a singer born in the United States and raised in Kagoshima.
It was released in 2005 as her 12th single.
It became a big hit, surpassing 2 million downloads as a ringtone.
Yuka Kanematsu from women’s rugby football is said to like this song.
Apparently, she even listens to it while doing housework.
FANTASTIC BABYBIGBANG
This is a song that women’s rugby player Marie Yamaguchi often listens to.
It’s a track by the South Korean male music group BIGBANG, included on their fifth mini-album, ALIVE, released in 2012.
To get herself hyped up, Yamaguchi seems to frequently listen to upbeat, high-energy tunes like this one.
It definitely lifts your spirits.
Eh YoKōda Kumi
The song table tennis player Kasumi Ishikawa loves listening to is “Eh Yo,” sung by Kumi Koda.
This track was written as a support song for the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Hanazono.
Since Osaka’s Hanazono was one of the host venues, the title “Eh Yo” is said to be a play on the Kansai dialect phrase “ee yo” (meaning “it’s good” or “sure”).
It’s a playful, Osaka-themed touch that’s pretty fun.
It’s a rock-style number that really showcases Kumi Koda’s cool, powerful presence.
Highly recommended when you want to get pumped up!
If I do itKotobukikun
This is a song by Toshikuni, a reggae musician active mainly in the Kansai region.
It’s included on his 2014 album “Ore no Kyukyoku.” It’s a powerful encouragement anthem that urges you to believe in yourself and take a new step forward.
Women’s fencing athlete Chika Aoki has publicly said she likes the song.
She says she got hooked on it after a friend recommended it.
Old RookieTakehara Pisutoru
What Gamba Osaka’s Takashi Usami is listening to is “Old Rookie” by singer-songwriter Pistol Takehara.
When you keep doing one thing you’ve decided on for a long time, you eventually get bored with the present and start indulging in nostalgia for the past.
Takehara’s view is that when that happens, people stop growing.
The song also carries the message that your constant opponent is yourself, that it’s important to strive toward the future so you won’t lose to who you’ve been up to now.
It might be the perfect song to listen to when you catch yourself thinking, “Every day feels the same.”
a winning battleToukyou Jihen
This piece was also chosen as the image song for WOWOW Tennis 2020.
It’s performed by Tokyo Jihen, a band whose members each boast exceptional musicianship.
The track’s pop yet edgy sound vividly evokes athletes fighting with everything they’ve got.
The English lyrics embody an unrelenting obsession with victory, and simply listening to it stirs your competitive spirit.
The song is included on the classic album “Sports,” released in February 2010.
It’s the perfect track to play when you want to sharpen your focus before a match or when you’re heading into a contest you absolutely cannot lose.
Be sure to check it out!
NIPPONShiina Ringo
This is a powerful cheering song by Ringo Sheena, released in May 2014 as the theme song for Japan’s national soccer team.
Included on the album Hi Izuru Tokoro, it features a rock sound infused with traditional Japanese elements, creating an energetic track that lifts the spirits of viewers.
With lyrics invoking words like “banzai” and “departure for battle,” the song conveys the weight of kanji, expressing Japan’s tradition and pride while delivering a passionate message that inspires the courage to take on challenges.
Chosen as the theme for NHK’s soccer-related programs and used during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the song drew considerable attention.
If you listen when you need to fire yourself up, it’s sure to give you a push.