Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

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 Fires Up Your Fighting Spirit (91–100)

Delusion:AllONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK – Delusion:All [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Delusion:AllONE OK ROCK

Here is a powerful, rousing track that stirs your fighting spirit.

Considered one of ONE OK ROCK’s signature songs, it also serves as the official theme for the film “KINGDOM IV: Return of the Great General.” Released on July 12, 2024, the song weaves in sharp perspectives on social division and contemporary politics, and is sure to resonate strongly with listeners.

Featuring a modern sound that blends elements of post-hardcore and alternative rock, it fully showcases the band’s musicality.

Play it during a tug-of-war at a school sports day and it will undoubtedly ignite participants’ competitive fire.

It’s also perfect to listen to before a big challenge or whenever you need a motivational boost.

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Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā

Effeminate / Golden Bomber – Music Video

Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā

Watch “Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent) Gōruden Bonbā” on YouTube

Familiar from TV and the NHK New Year’s Eve music show, this song captures the feelings of a heartbroken man with an upbeat melody.

Its message—filled with lingering attachment to an ex, regret, and the wish to be together again—has resonated with many.

Released in October 2009, the track has spawned yearly “buzzword” versions that reflect the spirit of the times.

In fiscal 2013, it won the JASRAC Gold Award, a remarkable feat for an indie release.

It was also used in a House Foods “Mega Shaki” commercial, gaining popularity across a wide audience.

Perfect for amping up sports festivals and dance events, it’s a crowd-pleaser that kids and adults alike can enjoy dancing to.

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[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war. Powerful, morale-boosting BGM (101–110)

RPGSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI「RPG」

RPGSEKAI NO OWARI

Not only is the melody of “RPG” great, but the lyrics are incredibly relatable.

The grand lyrics are a perfect match for a tug-of-war held under the open sky.

They also remind you that you’re not alone.

It makes you want to take on tug-of-war while listening to a song like that, doesn’t it? Tug-of-war isn’t an individual sport—it’s a team competition.

What matters is how well everyone can work together, so uniting everyone’s feelings is essential.

If we listen to “RPG” and everyone’s hearts become one—and we can raise the excitement too—that would be the best.

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In conclusion

I introduced some recommended songs for tug-of-war at a school sports day.

Music has the power to boost excitement, motivation, and concentration.

Choose tracks that are perfect for an all-out tug-of-war and help the participating children bring out their full potential!