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 stirs your fighting spirit (31–40)

Don’t give upZARD

Don't Give Up – ZARD (Full)

Don't give upZARD

It’s one of the signature songs by ZARD, the music unit centered around vocalist and lyricist Izumi Sakai.

The lyrics express the title straightforwardly and offer words of encouragement to those striving toward their goal.

While the song is often associated with marathons when paired with sports, its powerful message of support can inspire athletes in any discipline.

It’s a classic that helps you regain your footing when you feel discouraged and summons the courage to keep moving forward.

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NIPPONShiina Ringo

Sheena Ringo – NIPPON

NIPPONShiina Ringo

When it comes to World Cup songs, I bet many people think of this one.

Commissioned by NHK and written by Ringo Sheena, it was used as the theme song for soccer-related programs starting with the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

You can feel the blue flame that evokes Samurai Blue and the players’ shivers before battle! With its dry, driving guitar that sounds incredibly cool and fires you up, it’s the perfect track for a tug-of-war where sheer strength clashes.

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FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Fate [Official Video]

FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

This is the third single by Official HIGE DANDism, hugely popular among young people and affectionately known as Higedan.

It was selected as the 2019 ABC network Summer High School Baseball support song and the theme for “Netto Koshien.” It’s also used as the train arrival melody at Hanshin Railway’s Koshien Station, so it may be a song that brings back memories from school days.

Despite its pop sound, it delivers a powerful message, making it perfect for sports days where parents and children get muddy and sweaty together! It even feels like you could enjoy tug-of-war without straining, just having fun!

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AdventureYOASOBI

YOASOBI "Adventure" Official Music Video

AdventureYOASOBI

This song was specially written as the theme for Universal Studios Japan’s limited-time “Uni Spring” campaign and is packed with everything that makes YOASOBI so captivating.

It was reportedly created in sympathy with the positive spirit of reclaiming youth depicted in the original novel, which focuses on university life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Released digitally in February 2023, it was followed by a special live performance at Universal Studios Japan in March.

Its exhilarating, adventurous sound is sure to supercharge any sports day or athletic festival.

The lyrics, filled with anticipation for new discoveries and experiences, will undoubtedly fire up the fighting spirit of everyone taking on the tug-of-war!

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Feeling great!!mihimaru GT

mihimaru GT – Feeling Great ↑↑

Feeling great!!mihimaru GT

For those in our parents’ generation, this might bring back memories.

It’s a hit number released by mihimaru GT in 2006.

It seems to be a real staple at school sports days and athletic festivals.

Since it’s a bright, uplifting song, playing it as background music is sure to get everyone pumped up!

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[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: Powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit (41–50)

Joyfulikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari Joyful 2015

Joyfulikimonogakari

A popular number you can sing while twirling a towel at Ikimonogakari’s live shows.

Released on September 23, 2009 as their 15th single, it’s a double A-side track with “YELL,” which was also chosen as the required piece for the NHK National School Music Competition’s junior high division.

In contrast to “YELL,” this is a pop tune that reportedly aimed to overturn Ikimonogakari’s image.

Its melody lets you enjoy the sound of the lyrics, matching vocalist Yoshioka’s voice and putting you in a buoyant mood! Since having fun is the most important part of a sports day, this song comes highly recommended.

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helm’N bass10-FEET

10-FEET – helm’N bass (Asahi Super Dry × 3×3.EXE PREMIER Support Song)

helm'N bass10-FEET

A powerful song by 10-FEET that boldly incorporates reggae arrangements into an eight-beat rhythm.

Its captivating melody line and positive energy are striking.

The lyrics convey the complexity of love born from sorrow and a cry against social inequality, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in July 2024, the track was also chosen as a support song for Asahi Super Dry and 3×3.EXE PREMIER.

In addition, it served as the theme song for the TV drama “Fermat no Ryori.” It’s a perfect track for tug-of-war at school sports days—highly recommended when you want to stir up fighting spirit or feel a sense of unity with your teammates.

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