Paralympic and Parasports Theme Songs and Cheering Anthems Compilation
The Paralympics, often called “the other Olympics” for people with disabilities, is the pinnacle of sports for athletes with disabilities, and thanks in part to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in recent years, it has become well known in Japan.
It is said to have begun as a sporting event held at a British hospital as part of rehabilitation, and the official name “Paralympics” was first used at the 1988 Seoul Games.
In this article, we introduce theme songs and fight songs related to the Paralympics, as well as music connected to parasports.
You might finally uncover the truth behind that song you’ve been searching for.
Please take a look!
Paralympic and Parasports Theme Songs and Support Anthems (1–10)
The Time Has ComeTANAKA feat. AYAKO-with MALAWI
Did you know that “The Time Has Come,” a support song for athletes competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, wasn’t created by famous singers or artists, but features the participation of Mr.
Nagakazu Tanaka, a former member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), as a co-producer? Mr.
Tanaka, who served as a JOCV volunteer in Malawi—known as one of the world’s poorest countries—came up with the idea of collaborating with Malawians to create an athlete support song as a way to give back.
Although the production took place entirely remotely due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Malawian music producer DJ Sley handled the music production, and after many twists and turns, “The Time Has Come” was successfully completed.
For behind-the-scenes stories about the production, Mr.
Tanaka has written in detail on his Note blog, so if you’re interested, please check it out!
Step after the rainatarashii chizu
Ameagari no Step, released on March 19, 2018 by New Map, the unit formed by former SMAP members Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori, is a digital-only single created as a charity song in support of parasports.
It was first performed at the “Para Ekiden in TOKYO 2018” held a few days before the release, so some of you may have actually seen it live.
Composed and arranged by the renowned Yoko Kanno, Ameagari no Step features a melody that gently sinks into your heart, the trio’s warm vocals, and uplifting lyrics by Tetsuro Aso that inspire a positive outlook.
It’s a great cheer song that gives you a push forward, especially when you feel stuck at work or in your studies!
FLYMutō Masatsugu (EYE VDJ MASA) × Uchizawa Takahito (androp)
Despite being diagnosed with ALS in 2013, Masatane Muto launched the General Incorporated Association WITH ALS in 2016, turning that experience into a driving force.
Under the name EYE VDJ MASA, he is a creator active across various fields, including musical performances where he DJs and VJs using eye-tracking input.
FLY is the result of a collaboration between Muto and Takahito Uchisawa, the central figure of androp.
Drawing on experiences such as the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, the song features lyrics by Muto that embody the theme “diversity becomes hope for the future,” paired with Uchisawa’s beautiful melody and vocals imbued with gentleness and strength, together creating a remarkable work.
The music video also reunites the production team that played a key role in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, making it a must-see.
NonfictionHoney L Days
Speaking of wheelchair track athlete Tomoya Ito, he’s a remarkable wheelchair racer who competed at the Athens, Beijing, and London Paralympics, winning two gold medals and three silver medals.
Although he once announced his retirement, he made a comeback aiming for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, and it’s still fresh in our memory that he carved out a new legend by being selected to represent Japan as a wheelchair racer.
As a cheer song for Ito, the Japanese vocal duo Honey L Days created “Nonfiction,” released in 2020.
True to their reputation as masters of motivational anthems, it’s a powerful and catchy track that fills you with energy just by listening.
Be sure to check out the album of the same name as well!
Tokugawa Himenoden OndoTokugawa Shizuka to Tokugawa Hime-dono Gekidan
Tokugawa Shizuka and the Tokugawa Hime-Dono Troupe’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic support song, “Tokugawa Hime-Dono Ondo.” It’s a bright, danceable party-style track reminiscent of Morning Musume.
While it features band instruments like electric guitar, overall it has an ondo rhythm that gives it a distinctly Japanese feel—that’s the key.
Listening to this song will likely fill you with the courage to push through adversity! Be sure to pay attention to the unique lyrics, which reference important events in Japanese history.
Wonder InfinityMummy-D(RHYMESTER)、Awich、ZORN、BIGYUKI
When you look into songs related to the Paralympics and parasports, you’ll notice there are actually quite a lot of hip-hop tracks.
The song introduced here, “Wonder Infinity,” was created as part of NHK’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympics support project of the same name.
Mummy-D from RHYMESTER, Awich, and ZORN each wrote and performed rap verses expressing their thoughts for specific athletes, while New York–based keyboardist BIGYUKI handled the music production.
Knowing that Mummy-D focuses on Italy’s Beatrice Vio, a wheelchair fencing gold medalist; Awich on Canada’s Patrick Anderson, often called the “Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball”; and ZORN on Shingo Kunieda, who has an overwhelming record in Grand Slam wheelchair tennis, will deepen your understanding of the lyrics penned by the three artists.
ikiru | liveSakamoto Miu
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, the song “Ikiru | LIVE,” performed as the parade music for the Paralympic flag, was written, composed, and arranged entirely by Shuta Hasunuma, with vocals by Miu Sakamoto.
If you’ve seen the documentary “Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony Behind the Scenes,” which follows the making of the ceremony, you’ll know that “Ikiru | LIVE” plays throughout.
The melody, carried by Sakamoto’s expansive, crystalline voice, has a timeless beauty that delivers a stirring sensation, as if it gently reaches into the depths of a hardened heart.
Unfortunately, as of March 2023 when this article was written, the song is not available on streaming platforms, so please watch the aforementioned documentary and enjoy the music along with it.