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 (51–60)

100% Courage

[Cheering Song] 100% Courage / Nintama Rantarō [covered by Yūki Kuroki]

100% Courage

It’s a familiar song from the anime Nintama Rantaro.

Different artists have performed it for each generation, but I think many people in their parents’ generation know it too.

Its lively tune and encouraging lyrics make it perfect as background music for things like tug-of-war.

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We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā

I’ve gotta do the thing that seems impossible.

We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā

Sambomaster is beloved by people across a wide range of generations.

Their song “Dekikkonai wo Yaranakucha” was also used as the theme song for the TV drama Cheer☆Dan.

This song is a good example, but many of Sambomaster’s tracks feel like anthems that cheer on people who are giving their all every day, and they’re really uplifting.

That’s why they’re also a perfect fit as sports cheer songs!

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Full-Power BoySukima Suichi

Sukima Switch – “Zenryoku Shonen” Music Video : SUKIMASWITCH / Zenryoku Shonen Music Video

Full-Power BoySukima Suichi

This is “Zenryoku Shōnen” by Sukima Switch, released in 2005.

It’s a slightly older song, but it’s a motivational anthem that has been loved consistently over the years.

I think it’s a track that gives you a lot of energy, with gentle yet uplifting encouragement.

The fresh melody and vocals seem like they’d look perfect against a blue sky.

It’s the kind of BGM that feels like someone is kindly giving you a firm push forward.

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Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Is Youth Embarrassing?' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Hazukashiika Seishun wa

Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it's embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

This is a dynamic, invigorating track that dramatically portrays an all-out sprint.

Looking back as an adult, it brings to mind that fiery page of youth when we ran with everything we had.

Produced in July 2024 as the theme song for ABEMA’s “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita Summer Vacation 2024,” the piece achieves an epic sense of scale through a collaboration with a 40-piece orchestra.

Its powerful melody and driving sound gently encourage young people to move forward without fear of taking on new challenges.

It’s also an ideal choice for background music at school sports days and athletic events.

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[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: Powerful, Battle-Ready BGM (61–70)

PRAYING RUNUVERworld

UVERworld 『PRAYING RUN』

PRAYING RUNUVERworld

This is a song by UVERworld that conveys strength through its structure, which seems to express a gradual build-up of emotion.

It’s said to be written about member TAKUYA∞’s daily running routine and the thoughts he has while doing it, depicting a desire to elevate oneself further.

The track is powerful, evolving from an opening sound that evokes a light, brisk run into a heavier sound that feels like releasing what’s held inside the heart.

Perhaps what matters is the kind of wishes you pour into the single goal of victory.

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Theme from Mission: Impossible

Mission: Impossible Theme / Lalo Schifrin / Arr. Seiji Miyagawa

Theme from Mission: Impossible

A song that resonates across generations? It’s the theme from the movie Mission: Impossible.

Even if you haven’t seen the film, many people still know this music, right? You often hear it as background music on TV shows, too.

There’s something about it that makes your heart race a little when you listen.

It’s the perfect track for scenes where you’re planning a strategy and going into battle.

It’s so powerful and punchy that I’d even recommend it for a tug-of-war.

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danceAdo

Ado - Odo (Dance)

danceAdo

Ado made her major debut in 2020 with “Usseewa,” and despite being a high school student, she sparked a social phenomenon with her commanding vocals and mysterious persona as a masked singer.

Her fourth digital-only single, “Odo,” was chosen as the theme song for NHK General’s “Yakō Ongaku VocaloP 5mini.” Just four months after its release, it surpassed 100 million streams.

It’s dance music with a fun samba-infused rhythm and complex song development that makes you want to start dancing right away.

Ado’s signature growls and falsetto are powerful, and it’ll have you pumped up and ready to join in on school sports day events!

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