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[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit
When you hear “music for tug-of-war at a school sports day,” does any song come to mind?
You might easily imagine tracks for relays or sprints, but when it comes to tug-of-war, nothing quite clicks—that’s probably true for many people.
So in this article, we’ll introduce songs from a wide range of genres—popular J-pop, international pop, video game music, and more—that seem like a great match for tug-of-war.
From powerful, driving tunes to high-energy tracks that stoke your fighting spirit, we’ve gathered plenty of punchy songs.
Use this as a reference when choosing your BGM!
[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: Powerful BGM That Sparks Fighting Spirit (1–10)
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s “Inferno,” which is popular among elementary and middle school students, is also the theme song for the anime Fire Force.
The lyrics have a grand, immersive worldview that really draws you in.
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE often has a fresh, breezy image, but this track has a slightly darker tone and a driving pace, making it a great BGM choice for tug-of-war.
breakthroughSUPER BEAVER
This song expresses the power of taking on challenges with commanding vocals and a fiery band sound.
The lyrics, which call for facing things head-on and living life to the fullest, pierce the listener’s heart.
Released in October 2020, it was used as the opening theme for the second cour of the anime Haikyu!! TO THE TOP.
With its powerful sound and message-driven lyrics, it’s sure to ignite the fighting spirit of athletes taking on a tug-of-war.
together; along with; bothWANIMA
This song features a powerful, passionate vocal performance and a striking rock sound.
Its uplifting message encourages pushing forward through setbacks and anxiety, and the melody that sings of friendship and gratitude resonates deeply.
Released in August 2016, it was featured in a NIVEA Kao “8×4” commercial, capturing many hearts with its energetic sound and meaningful lyrics.
During production, the Kumamoto earthquakes occurred, and that experience imbued the song with reflections on the preciousness of life and love for one’s hometown, making it a profound piece.
This track is perfect not only for tug-of-war at school sports festivals, but also for moments when you want to work hard with someone, take on challenges as a team, or find the courage to move forward.
BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi
A powerful track crafted by Kenshi Yonezu as the opening theme for the TV anime “Medalist.” Through the imagery of bow and arrow, it symbolically portrays challenge and growth in sports, as well as the strong bond between coach and student.
Released as a digital single on January 27, 2025, it premiered on the opening day of the nationwide tour “Kenshi Yonezu 2025 TOUR / JUNK,” where it garnered a huge response.
Listening to it before a tug-of-war will sharpen your focus and help you achieve the best results together with your teammates.
OrangeSPYAIR
A refreshing yet powerful track that somehow evokes a touch of poignancy.
Released in February 2024, this SPYAIR song was chosen as the theme for the film Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle.
It’s a perfect fit for tug-of-war events at school sports days and athletic festivals.
With the power to ignite the athletes’ fighting spirit and lift the crowd’s excitement, it’s sure to get everyone united and fired up!
I am the strongest.Ado
With its powerful vocals and dynamic sound, this song resonates like a call to awaken your fighting spirit.
It’s infused with a passionate resolve to believe in your own strength and face any hardship head-on.
Composed by Motoki Omori of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, it serves as an in-film song for the feature-length anime ONE PIECE FILM RED, released in June 2022, showcasing Ado’s overwhelming vocal prowess to the fullest.
Although it is a character song, it carries a universal message, and in April 2024 it won the Bronze Medal at the NexTone Award.
It’s a highly recommended track for moments when you want to fire yourself up before a decisive challenge or rally your courage.
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.