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[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 You Up (11–20)

single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu

King Gnu – Ichizu

single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu

This song features an impressive, grand sound written as the theme for the anime film Jujutsu Kaisen 0.

Since its release in December 2021, it has topped the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles chart and went on to rank No.

1 on the combined yearly singles chart the following year.

Its powerful guitar riffs, driving drum beats, and the rich harmonies woven by the two vocalists are truly stirring.

Singing of the resolve and determination to give everything for a loved one, the track showcases King Gnu’s signature mixture rock sound.

It’s a highly recommended song when you want to take on something with all your might or fire yourself up.

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I can only face forwardAKB48

[MV full] We Only Look Forward / AKB48 [Official]

I can only face forwardAKB48

This is a breathtaking AKB48 track distinguished by a rock-inspired sound that embodies a powerful cry from the heart.

The lyrics, infused with a resolve to keep moving forward, together with the dynamic melody, fill listeners with courage and energy.

Released in February 2014 and recording an initial sales figure of approximately 1.091 million copies, the song was also used in commercials for Dip’s job information site “Baitoru.” Its powerful performance and passionate message make it a reliable ally in moments when you want to inspire unity and motivation—such as a tug-of-war at a school sports day.

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BREAKOUTSnow Man

Snow Man「BREAKOUT」Dance Practice

BREAKOUTSnow Man

An ambitious work from Snow Man, resounding with powerful guitar riffs and a bold rock-infused sound.

The song channels a fierce resolve to risk one’s life to protect someone dear, expressing it through an energetic track.

Released as a single in July 2024, it also drew attention as the theme song for the film “Akabane Honekko no Bodyguard,” starring group member Raul.

Brimming with determination and the will to face any hardship and keep moving forward, its strong message is sure to empower children striving to seize victory in a tug-of-war.

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ultra soulB’z

B’z / ultra soul

ultra soulB'z

This is a classic rock number that powerfully sings out a soul’s cry to challenge one’s own limits.

Riding on a sound brimming with intensity and impact, it vividly portrays the meaning of hard work and the passion for achieving goals.

Released in March 2001 as the official theme song for TV Asahi’s “FINA World Championships Fukuoka 2001,” the track became a major hit as B’z’s 31st single.

It has since been used repeatedly at subsequent World Aquatics Championships and the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

Its uplifting, powerful melody and positive message make it the ultimate BGM to boost the morale of a team taking on a tug-of-war.

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Heart Throbsnobobyknows̟+

Kokoro Odoru [PV]

Heart Throbsnobobyknows̟+

This track blends an upbeat sound that makes you want to move with a rhythm that sets your heart dancing.

Released in May 2004, this signature song by nobodyknows+ was used as the ending theme for season 2 of the TV Tokyo anime SD Gundam Force.

Featuring bright, positive messages and the group’s distinctive rhythmic rap, it’s also perfect as BGM for team events like tug-of-war at school sports days, where everyone unites as one.

Its powerful beat and energetic sound are sure to ignite participants’ fighting spirit.

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The Zero Sense10-FEET

10-FEET – The Zero Sense (Ending Theme Song of the Film 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK')

The Zero Sense10-FEET

Created as the ending theme song for the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, this track is themed around basketball and expresses the passion of pursuing one’s dreams and the resolve to face adversity.

While symbolically portraying the doubts and traps players encounter, its lyrics depict the strength to overcome them and achieve one’s goals—resonating deeply with participants who are giving their all in a tug-of-war.

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[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that fires you up (21–30)

Tsunahiki Empiregagaga supi

Gagaga SP / Tug-of-War Empire 2006 ~I’ll beat the crap out of you Edition~

Tsunahiki Empiregagaga supi

The title is, of all things, “Tsunahiki Empire.” Isn’t that a song made for tug-of-war? This track by Gagaga SP, a punk band Kansai is proud of, was even used in a commercial, so I bet many people have heard it.

It belts out, full-throttle, a metaphor of life as a tug-of-war.

The tempo is fast, and it could easily turn into BGM that makes you feel like, “Whoa, the match was over in a flash!” (lol).

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